Residential Care Home Fees - FAQ’s
What about making gifts/transferring property?
The law does not permit you to give away money or to transfer property in order to reduce the amount you pay for your care.
- if you make such transfers, we may recover the cost of your care from the person who received the gift or transfer or from yourself.
- you may be asked to contribute from your capital even if this is below £22,000 and normally disregarded.
What if I own my own property when moving into care?
If your stay in a care home is permanent the value of your home will be treated as part of your capital after 12 weeks. You will not be asked to sell your home if you do not wish to do so. However, its value will be taken into account in assessing the amount you pay for your care after the 12 week period.
If you do sell your property within the 12-week period, the net proceeds will be taken into account from the date of transfer. If your spouse, partner or an older or disabled relative (over 60 years of age) continues to live in your home, its value may be disregarded as long as they continue to live there.
Will my husband, wife, or other family members be expected to pay for my care?
Members of your family are not required to pay for your care except in circumstances described as above. The amount you pay for your care is based solely on your finances. If you have joint savings with your spouse/partner, half of the savings will count as your capital.
How will I know what I have to pay?
We will let you know what the actual charge to you will be in writing once your financial details have been verified. You will receive an assessment form showing how the charge has been calculated, including any benefits which should have been claimed.
Your Social Worker/Care Manager will explain the various ways you can pay the charge for your care. They will assist you in making arrangements for payment before you move to a care home. If your stay is temporary, then you will be charged after you have had your stay.
If you have made arrangements for someone to manage your finances on your behalf, that person will be referred to as the ‘Invoicee’ and will assume legal responsibility for paying the charge for your care on your behalf.
How much can I keep for my own use while I am living in a care home?
After the charge for your care has been calculated, you will be left with a small amount of money for your own use. This is called a ‘personal allowance’ and is set annually by the Scottish Government. The current rate is £35.90 per week.
If you receive Savings Credit as part of your Pension Credit entitlement, part of this will be disregarded and added to your personal allowance (up to a maximum of £8.50 per week (single person).
What if I decide to move to another home or I am unable to return for any reason?
Payment towards charges for termination and notice periods will fall in line with the Residency Agreement you signed on entry to the home.
What if I think my Capital will fall?
You should contact the Care Resource Team in advance If you expect your Capital will fall below the maximum threshold so that they can discuss you moving on to a Council Contract.
This will require a financial assessment to be carried out. You must also tell your care provider, they need to agree to the change of contract type and will require notice as per the terms of your contract with them.
I opted to pay full fees on a Council Contract; can I change this?
Yes, as long as a financial assessment is completed first. If you require assistance with care charges, you will be asked to provide information backdated to your date of entry into care.
What if I am admitted to hospital?
If you pay the maximum charge for your accommodation costs you will continue to do so. After two weeks in hospital, your Free Personal Care entitlement (£254.60 or £369.15) stops and you will be liable to pay the maximum cost of your care home charge until you return to the care home.
If a family member is an appointee for your benefits, they must notify the relevant DWP section that you have been admitted to hospital.
What if I disagree with the charge for my care?
If you are unhappy about the charge for your care, you may ask for an explanation of how it has been calculated. If you disagree with this assessment, you have a right to ask Social Work to look at it again. In certain special circumstances you may appeal against the outcome of your assessment.
Your Social Worker will complete and submit a form (Request for Review of Charge on Grounds of Special Circumstances) on your behalf to the Appeals Panel.
The Appeals Panel will inform you of the outcome of your appeal. If you are still dissatisfied with the outcome, you may wish to make a complaint.
Complaints may be made by one of the following methods:
- using the online complaint form at www.scotborders.gov.uk/complaints
- by phone on 0300 100 1800
- by email to Customeradvice@scotborders.gov.uk
- in person or in writing at any local office
You are entitled to be represented in accordance with the Social Work’s complaints procedure. You may wish to seek independent advice on making a complaint.
What if I am in receipt of a Care component of a disability benefit?
If you are in receipt of a Care component of a disability benefit, you must notify the relevant DWP section/Social Security Scotland that you are now in a care home. You may wish to ask your Care Manager, a relative or member of staff to do this for you.
If you are receiving financial assistance for your care from the Council, you will not be entitled to these benefits after four weeks from your move into a care home. Your entitlement to these benefits will end even if you only receive Free Personal Care or Nursing Care.
If you pay the full charge for your accommodation costs, and you are not in receipt of Free Personal Care or Nursing Care, you will continue to be entitled to receive these benefits.