Paying for your own care (self-funding)

Overview

Our vision for Adult Social Care and Commissioning in South Tyneside is that we want people to be able to access support which builds on their strengths, friendships, and aspirations.

We believe that giving people genuine choice and control about how their receive care and support can improve quality of life as well as promoting independence and wellbeing.

If you pay for your own care, you can still get some support for free.

Our vision and this information will help you think about key areas of support that can help you achieve that.

Whilst you may not be eligible for financial support from the local authority, you are entitled to information, advice and guidance and an assessment to understand what your needs are and consideration about how they can be met.

Why you might pay for your own care

You might pay for your own care because:

Your savings and assets are above the means-test threshold for care funding (currently £23,250, this doesn't include the value of your home).
Your income is high enough to cover your care costs, without taking you below a set minimum income level.
Following a needs assessment, your needs weren't found to be eligible for local authority support.
You have chosen not to contact us for help.
You are eligible for care that is funded by us but have been sponsored to come to the UK under a sponsorship agreement.

How we can support you

We still offer support for free, even if you aren't eligible for Council-funded care, or if you choose to pay for your own care.

Find out what support you need

We can work with you to complete an assessment of your care and support needs. In South Tyneside, we call this a 'conversation record'.

We will work together to consider the specific needs and risks you face and discuss possible support or services which may help you to stay as independent as possible.

We can review your needs annually or if your circumstances or needs change.

Find out if you're eligible for care funded by the Council

We can do a to see if you will contribute towards the cost of care and support services.

Planning what type of support is best for you

We can help you decide what kind of support will best meet your needs.

There are lots of ways to help you live independently in your own home, including:

using equipment
using assistive technology
having someone support you with personal care
considering different

We know people want to be able to stay in their own homes and communities and we will work with people to achieve this.

There is a variety of support available for people so that they can stay in their own home but if this can't be achieved (for example, someone's needs are too complex), then a care home may be best to meet their needs.

We will be happy to talk through the range of support that is available.

Support for your friends and family

You might have family or friends helping you with your support needs, shopping, medication, preparing food or other things. Someone providing this kind of help because they care about you and know you need help are called unpaid carers. The support they provide is invaluable and it's important they know they have rights as well. Often, unpaid carers need information about how to help their family member, advice about financial or emotional support and the opportunity to meet and talk to other carers.

Most unpaid carers don't like to be called a carer or don't realise what they are doing is providing care and that there is support available for them. You can play a critical role in talking with them about support available.

For more information please see carers.

Help finding the right support for you

If you have care and support needs, there are several ways you can have those needs met.

This might include:

having a family member who is happy to support you
employing someone who works specifically for you
paying for a care agency to work with you

If you are looking to employ someone to help you, our self-directed support team will be able to offer some guidance.

If you need help choosing a care agency to work with you or someone else, see CQC find care services.

Help you find local groups

We can connect you to local organisations and groups that will support your health and wellbeing.

They could help you:

feel less socially isolated
become more active
develop new interests or hobbies
volunteer or help you to maintain your independence

We will work with you to identify what the right support is for you.

See, A-Z directory of services.

Help to live at home

You may be entitled to a time limited service from our Home Independence and Crisis Support Service (HICSS), especially after being in hospital to help you get back on your feet.

Paying for a care home

If you pay for your own care, any residential care contracts will usually be between you and the care home directly.

We can:

help to arrange your care
give you information about care costs

If your savings are starting to decrease and you think that they will fall below the self-funding figure threshold (£23,250), contact us about 12 weeks before that happens. We can check if you're eligible for funding from the Council, and discuss which accommodation or services will meet your needs.

For more information see, paying for residential care.

Deferred Payments Agreement

If you pay for your own care in a residential or nursing home and own a property, you may be eligible for a deferred payments agreement.

Other support you can get for free

Nursing care

You may be able to get help from the NHS towards paying for any nursing element of your care and support.

Preventing re-admission to hospital

You won't pay for care and support which is to prevent re-admission to hospital, if you:

have previously been detained under section 3 of the Mental Health Act
have a Section 117 support plan to prevent re-admission to hospital

Any care and support services that are not to prevent re-admission to hospital, you will pay for yourself.

Independent financial advice

If you are looking for independent financial advice, you need to make sure the person is registered with FCA (Financial Conduct Authority).

Contact us

For advice or information about any of the support we offer, contact the let's talk team.