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Assessing your needs

It's important to remember that the amount of assistance you may be able to get to help you with your caring role does not depend on the amount you can afford.

Your needs will be looked at in a needs assessment and then social services will work out what you can afford from a financial assessment. This will usually be done soon after or at the same time as the needs assessment. Very few councils do both assessments at the same time.

You can choose not to have a financial assessment but then you will have to pay the full amount for all the care.

Financial assessment

Your council will complete a financial assessment to work out how much you can afford to pay towards community care. This will be based on your income and your capital. Your income is all the money you have coming in each week. Examples of income include:

Your capital can includes land and buildings - but not the value of the home you live in - and savings.

You should make sure that you are claiming all the benefits that you are entitled to as your contribution will probably be worked out as if you are getting them. For more information talk to the social worker who works with you or the person that carried out the needs/financial assessment.

What might I be charged for?

There are a number of services that you might be charged for and these include:

What can't I be charged for?

You cannot be charged for

Fairer charging policies

What you are charged for is based on the government's 'fairer charging policies'. This means that you can't be charged for services if you will be left with less than basic Income Support levels or the Guarantee Credit of Pension Credit, plus 25 per cent.

For more information contact your social worker or local Citizens Advice Bureau. The Department of Health publishes a document about fairer charging policies on its website. It is aimed at health and social care professionals, but you might find it useful.

• Fairer charging policies - Department of Health website (opens new window)

How do I pay for care?

Most social services departments allow you to pay by monthly direct debit. This is used when the same amount of care is used regularly. If your circumstances or needs change, contact your social services and they will adjust the amount you pay.

Some social services departments have a 'pay as you go' scheme. This is best used when your needs change each month. You will be sent a card that you can 'charge' (put money onto) at the post office. You will be given this card and a leaflet describing how to use it.