Paying for your care  

Entitlement to domiciliary care, otherwise known as home care, varies from region to region, and so does funding. Due to increasing numbers of elderly people in the UK, there are governmental groups looking into how to move forward with this issue but it isn’t known yet what they will decide. 

In Scotland elderly care is free. In the rest of the UK the situation is more complicated. If your care is NHS related, for example visits by Community Nurses, it is free. Also if you require what is known as intermediate care, which is either to keep you out of hospital or to look after you when you come home, then this is free for 6 weeks. 

If your care is Social Services NHS care, then the situation becomes less clear, as local authorities have discretion to decide who is eligible, and how much they should pay. Some authorities who previously provided care for those with ‘substantial’ needs are now only providing care for those with ‘critical’ needs, and people who are still eligible for home care have seen costs increase dramatically. 

There are benefits to help you pay for your care. The Attendance Allowance is not means tested but provided based on your need. To be eligible you must be over 65, a UK resident and have had a disability for 6 months. There is a lower rate which is payable if you need frequent help with normal bodily functions during the day OR night, and a higher rate payable if you need help day AND night. This benefit is not taxable, you may still collect other benefits, and it does not have to be used for home care. You could also be eligible for Pension Credit but this is a highly complex benefit. To find out further information you are advised to check with your local authority.