Q: Social Services have contacted me; they want to complete a financial assessment on my mother/father. Can they do this?
A: Your local council Adult Social Services team should not be completing a financial assessment until the NHS Continuing Healthcare funding assessment has been completed. If an individual’s needs are primarily health needs they are entitled to NHS Continuing Healthcare funding to meet the cost of their care in full, whatever their financial situation. NHS Continuing Healthcare funding is NOT means tested.
If the individual is not eligible for NHS Continuing Healthcare funding your local council will conduct a financial assessment to determine who is responsible for paying care fees. In the absence of NHS funding, if an individual has assets exceeding £23,250 then they are liable to pay for the cost of their care in full, whether they receive care at home, or if they are paying care home costs in a residential or nursing home.
Even when assets of the individual fall below £23,250 they must continue to part contribute to their care home costs until these assets fall below £14,000. When this lower threshold is met, the individual will be required to contribute towards their care home costs from any income they receive (such as a pension).
Q: Will this jeopardise the NHS Continuing Healthcare funding application?
A: No
Q: Is this related to NHS Continuing Healthcare funding?
A: No. However, a Social Worker should be part of the multidisciplinary team undertaking the NHS Continuing Healthcare decision support tool (DST) assessment, and they can also complete the first stage in the continuing healthcare funding assessment, which is known as a checklist. Therefore, be aware the local council should only be completing financial assessments if they have informed you and, you have given permission, and only after a full assessment for continuing healthcare has been completed and determined an individual is not entitled.
Q: Shall I let Social Services do it? What if I don’t want them to do it?
A: Yes, let them complete it but only once a Continuing Healthcare assessment has been completed.
If you do not want Social Services to complete a financial assessment, that is of course your prerogative, however if you don’t qualify for NHS Continuing Healthcare funding, you will have no help with care home fees from your local authority.
Learn more: Is NHS Continuing Healthcare funding means tested?
Unsure if you or a loved one qualifies?
If you think you or a loved one may be eligible for CHC funding, don’t delay. We’re here to guide you through every step.
Submit an enquiry to get started.
