Understanding How Home Care is Funded
One of the most common questions families ask is: ‘How do we pay for home care?’ It is a fair and important question, and the answer is that there are several funding pathways available, depending on your circumstances. At OliveCross Healthcare, we work with all major funding routes and can guide you through the process, step by step.
Local Authority Funded Care
If you have care and support needs that meet the eligibility criteria set out in the Care Act 2014, you may be entitled to funding from the City of West Midlands Council.
How it Works
Needs Assessment
You or someone on your behalf can request a free care needs assessment from the Council's Adult Social Care team. This assessment determines whether you have needs that are eligible for local authority support.
Financial Assessment (Means Test)
If eligible, the Council conducts a financial assessment to determine your contribution towards the cost of care. This considers your income, savings, capital, and certain allowances. If your capital is above the upper threshold (currently £23,250), you may be asked to fund your own care. Below the lower threshold (currently £14,250), you will not be required to use your capital.
Personal Budget
Once eligibility is confirmed, you are allocated a personal budget, the amount the Council will make available for your care and support needs.
Direct Payments
You can choose to receive your personal budget as a direct payment, giving you the freedom to purchase your own care from a provider of your choice, including OliveCross Healthcare. Direct payments put you in control of your care and are the preferred option for many of our service users.
Managed Budget
Alternatively, the Council can arrange care on your behalf using your personal budget.
To request a needs assessment, contact the City of West Midlands Council Adult Social Care team on 01902 551199.
NHS Continuing Healthcare (CHC)
NHS Continuing Healthcare is a package of care that is entirely funded by the NHS. You may be eligible if you have a 'primary health need', meaning that the main reason you need care is a health condition rather than a social care need.
The CHC process involves
- An initial screening using the NHS Continuing Healthcare Checklist, which can be completed by any health or social care professional
- If the screening indicates potential eligibility, a full assessment using the Decision Support Tool (DST), completed by a multi-disciplinary team across 12 care domains
- A decision by the local Clinical Commissioning Group (or Integrated Care Board) on whether you have a primary health need
If you are found eligible, all of your care is funded by the NHS, with no financial contribution required from you. This includes domiciliary care at home. CHC assessments can be complex and sometimes contentious. We are experienced in supporting individuals and families through this process and can provide guidance on what to expect, how to prepare, and what to do if you disagree with a decision.
NHS-Funded Nursing Care (FNC)
If you do not qualify for full CHC but have ongoing nursing needs, you may be eligible for NHS-Funded Nursing Care, a flat-rate weekly contribution from the NHS towards the cost of care that involves nursing input.
FNC is assessed as part of the CHC process. If you are not eligible for full CHC but have nursing needs, the assessor will consider whether FNC applies. The current standard weekly rate is set by NHS England and is reviewed annually. OliveCross Healthcare works with NHS-funded nursing care clients and can advise you on how this funding can be applied to your care package.
Privately Funded Care
If you do not qualify for local authority or NHS funding, or if you simply prefer the flexibility and control that comes with arranging your own care, we offer competitive private care rates with complete transparency.
The benefits of privately funded care include:
- Complete choice and control over your care package, including visit times, duration, and frequency
- No waiting lists, means tests, or bureaucratic delays
- Flexibility to increase, decrease, or modify your care at short notice
- A direct, personal relationship with OliveCross Healthcare, without third-party intermediaries
We provide a clear, itemised cost breakdown before any care begins, and there are no hidden charges. You will always know exactly what you are paying for.
Benefits That Can Help with Care Costs
If you are aged 65 or over and need help with personal care or supervision due to a physical or mental condition, you may be eligible for Attendance Allowance. This is a tax-free, non-means-tested benefit paid at two rates: a lower rate for daytime or night-time needs, and a higher rate for both. You can use Attendance Allowance to help fund home care.
If you are aged 16 to State Pension age and have a health condition or disability that affects your daily living or mobility, you may be eligible for PIP. This non-means-tested benefit can contribute towards care costs.
If you are a family carer providing at least 35 hours of care per week, you may be eligible for Carer's Allowance, a weekly benefit that recognises your caring role.
Numerous charities and benevolent funds provide financial assistance towards care costs. Grant-finding services can help you search for grants based on your personal circumstances, including your age, former occupation, health condition, and location.
We Will Help You Navigate the System
The funding landscape can feel complicated, but you do not have to navigate it alone. Our team has extensive experience working with all funding pathways and can help you understand your options, complete applications, liaise with the local authority or NHS, and ensure you access every penny of funding you are entitled to. This guidance is provided free of charge as part of our service.
For a confidential, no-obligation discussion about funding your care, call 0333 772 4801 or email info@olivecrosshealthcare.co.uk.