Residential Accommodation

A Liable Relative is someone the law says must maintain you. If you are going into residential accommodation, your Liable Relative will be expected to contribute towards the cost.

The definition of a Liable Relative depends on the circumstances, but when you are moving to a residential home is means your husband or wife, or perhaps your parents. Someone who is living with you as a husband or wife, but to whom you are not married, is NOT a liable relative.

We will work out a financial assessment with your Liable Relative to see how much they will be asked to pay. If the assessment shows that they cannot afford to maintain you, then they will not be forced to do so.

Our leaflet explains more about this. Please ask for a copy at one of our offices. Our Welfare Rights Unit on 01432 383530 can also help you.
Or email: ssh_adults@herefordshire.gov.uk

Choosing a Residential or Nursing Home

One of the Biggest decisions you may have to make is to move into a Residential or Nursing Home. It is up to you to choose the home which is right for you.

Residential Homes are for people who have social, emotional, mental health and/or personal care needs and who are unable to manage in their own home.

Nursing Homes are for people who have these needs, but who also need nursing care and are unable to manage in their own home.

Some homes offer a trial or half day before you decide. There is always a trial period, too, during which you may choose to move to another home at any time.

Prices do vary, so find out what is included and what costs extra. You may be able to get help with the fees from Social Services if your assessment shows you are eligible. A financial assessment will show how much help you can get.

Our leaflet gives more information and suggests what to look for when visiting homes. You can download a PDF version by clicking on the link below or you can get a copy from one of our offices.

For more information about Care Homes from the Commission for Social Care Inspection see the link in the external links box at the bottom of the page.

To find our about homes in the area you wish to live see the link in the external links box at the bottom of the page (www.bettercaring.co.uk).

Age Concern have factsheets on many topics, see the link in the external links box at the bottom of the page. 

Deferred Payments

If you ask Social Services to help with the cost of your chosen residential care, your financial assessment may include the value of your property. You may be expected to sell your property to pay the fees.

If you are expected to sell your property to pay for your residential care, you do not have to do this straight away. Social Services will pay any extra amount needed for your fees for the first 12 weeks that you are in permanent residential care.

If you prefer to wait before selling your property, you can ask us to defer this part of your assessed contribution, although you will still have to pay the rest. If we agree to this, we will pay the balance until your property is sold.

Once your property is sold you (or your estate) will pay us back. We will not charge interest during this time (although we may do if repayment is delayed).

You will be asked to sign an agreement and we will give you a copy to keep.

More information is in our leaflet. Get a copy from one of our offices, or speak to your social worker.

Care Home Fees

If you move into a residential or nursing home, you will have to pay towards the cost of your accommodation, but only what the law says you can afford. If you can afford to pay for all of your accommodation, then you do not need help from Social Services, unless your capital is about to fall below the upper limit set by the Government. If you cannot pay the full cost, then Social Services may be able to help.

This is a very complicated subject and everyone’s circumstances are different. However, in broad terms, if you have been assessed as needing residential or nursing care, then Social Services will work with you on a financial assessment.

This will cover:

• Your income – such as earnings, pensions and income from trusts
• Your commitments – such as payments you have a legal obligation to make
• Your capital – such as buildings, land, cash and investments

If your capital is more than £20,000*, you will be expected to pay the full cost of your care. If it is £12,250* or below, then the full cost of your care will be met by Social Services. Between those two figures you will be expected to contribute towards your fees.

If your capital is less than £16,000* (or £12,000* for temporary stays), then you may be able to apply for income support.

* These figures are for the financial year April 2004 – March 2005

We have a leaflet with more information. Click in the box below to read or download it, or ask for a copy at one of our offices.

For more information contact the Residential Finance Section at Social Services on 01432 260000, or click on the Department of Work and Pensions website (see the link in the external links box at the bottom of the page). 

Paying For Care - Third Party Top Ups

If you are not self funding and the cost of your chosen residential care is more than Social Services is able to pay, then you may choose to have this “topped up” by some one else (a third party).

If your financial assessment shows that you are not able to pay the cost of your care home yourself (or with help from others) Social Services will fund your accommodation. You may, depending on your financial circumstances, be expected to make a contribution towards the cost.

If the cost of your care home is more than Social Services are able to pay, you may need to have someone else pay the extra. This is known as a “Third Party Top Up”.

A Third Party can be family or friends, or perhaps another organisation such as a charity. You cannot “top up” your fees yourself.

We have a leaflet which explains more about your options. Please ask for it at one of our offices, or talk to your social worker.