What is a self funder?
A ‘self funder’ is someone who is meeting the full costs of their social care services without any financial help from the Council. These services usually relate to residential care but can include home care.
Why someone is called a self funder?
The Council can only provide financial support to people who can’t afford to pay the full cost of their care. There is a financial assessment scheme which is used to work out how much someone can pay towards the cost of their care.
If you have more than £22,500 in savings or investments then you wont be able to receive financial help with you care costs you will be called a ‘self funder’.
In many occasions people choose to be self funders because they are independent and don’t want the Council to help them to decide how there care needs should be met.
What help can I receive as a self funder?
Even though you can’t get financial help on a long term basis there are other ways the Council can help you.
- We can provide you with an assessment of your needs which will help you to decide what kind of care will best meet your needs. It doesn’t have to be residential care, there are other ways of meeting your needs which can help your to continue to live at home.
- If you ask the Council to assess your needs we will review your needs on an annual basis or at your request if your needs change.
- Having an assessment of need and an annual review means that the Council will have your details on record. This means that it can provide help quicker when your savings drop below the savings threshold, currently £22,500. Many people are not aware of this and worry what they will do when their savings run out.
- We will be able to provide you with advice and guidance and help you to deal with any comments or concerns you are having with your care provider. We have arrangements with voluntary organisations that can provide independent advice.
- We can arrange for you to have a welfare benefits check to make sure you are receiving the full benefits you are entitled to. Even if you are a self funder you maybe eligible to receive Attendance Allowance. We have arrangements in place with The Pension Service who provide welfare benefit checks.
- We also operate a deferred property scheme. People who need residential care and own a house can receive an interest free loan to pay thier care costs which they repay when the house is sold. There are rules you need to meet, information is available on request. You can’t qualify though if you don’t have an assessment of need.
For Information on our Current Charging Policy:
Fairer Charging for Non-Residential Services
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