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Paying for home care can be a real struggle

Highlights from an article first published in The Times, Money Mentor – August 31, 2023. See full article – here

It’s not only about the money; you also want to know your loved one is in safe and sympathetic hands when you can’t be around.

In this guide, we will cover:

• How much does home care cost per hour?
• How much does live-in care cost?
• Paying for home care in England
• NHS Continuing Healthcare
• What benefits can I claim when I need home care?

How much does home care cost per hour?

The price of home care also known as domiciliary care and in-home care does vary across the UK. Home care in the UK costs on average between £23 to £34 per hour.

If you need home care two hours a day at a rate of £30 per hour, you will pay:

• £420 per week
• £1,680 per month
• £20,160 a year

Bear in mind that some care providers will charge a higher rate for weekends and bank holidays.

This video provides a brief overview of how much you can expect to pay for home care and what funding is available that you may be eligible for.

How much does live-in care cost?

Generally, live-in care fees start at around £900 to £1,400 per week but can be as much as £2,000 per week. The cost of 24-hour care at home will vary depending on your needs, what services you require and what provider you choose.

For live-in carer costs, if you need 24-hour live-in care at a rate of £1,100 per week, this means you will pay:

• £4,730 per month (52 weeks per year divided by 12 months equals 4.3 weeks a month)
• £56,760 a year

When you receive a quote from a home care provider, calculate the estimated cost to find out if you can afford it and then budget accordingly.

Paying for home care in England

Your local council may contribute to the cost of your home care. A needs assessment will first be carried out to determine the type of care you require. The council will then work out how much you need to contribute to home care costs in a financial assessment. This is also known as a means test. How much you will pay depends on your salary and savings. For full details see –here  

NHS Continuing Healthcare

NHS Continuing Healthcare (NHS CHC) is a care package for people living in England or Wales who are over 18. It is funded by the NHS and covers the costs of your support needs if you require substantial long-term care. The scheme is not tied to specific diagnoses or conditions. Instead, it depends on the care you require. NHS CHC is not means-tested.

To be entitled to NHS CHC, it must be proven that you have a primary health need, which means your care needs are mainly for healthcare. There are two stages in the assessment process to determine if you qualify. Find out more details – here.  

What benefits can I claim when I need home care?

Always check if you are entitled to any benefits and if you are, make sure to claim them. Even if you have a substantial amount of savings, you could be entitled to benefits as some are not means-tested.

These include:

• Attendance Allowance
• Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
• Daily Living component
• Industrial Injuries Disablement (IIDB)
• Constant Attendance Allowance (CAA)
• Carer’s Allowance (CA)
• Pension Credit for the 2024/25 tax year
• Disability premiums
• Armed Forces Independence Payment (AFIP)

For full list of benefits and how to claim them see – here.