Paying for your care and finances
![Paying For You Care Panel Paying For You Care Panel](https://plymouthonlinedirectory.com/image/5438/Paying-For-You-Care-Panel/related.png?m=1714646087003)
Once you have had a needs assessment and we have agreed that you are eligible for support, we will work out your personal budget, which is how much we think it will cost to buy the care you need.
How much you pay
Depending on your situation, you may need to pay towards the cost of your care and support or pay for it in full.
We will work out how much you will have to pay towards your care. We do this by doing a financial assessment. We will ask you about your savings, investments, and income.
If you have more than £23,250 in savings and investments, you will have to pay the full cost of your care.
We do not include the value of your home in the assessment unless you are moving into a care home.
Our Client Financial Services Team will make contact with you to request the evidence needed to enable a full financial assessment to be completed. When it has been completed, you will be sent a letter that will detail the calculation of your assessed contribution.
You should get independent financial advice to help you decide how to pay long-term care costs and make sure you are claiming all the benefits and allowances you are entitled to.
Find out whether you may need to pay for your care
Find out how the assessment is carried out and what is taken into account in our Adult Social Care Charging Policy (PDF) [1MB] (opens new window) .
Please note that if your savings or investments are more than £23,250 and you decide to arrange and pay for your own care, then you do not need to involve the council.
In some circumstances, you will not have to pay for your care. For example, when you:
- receive support from Intermediate Care or Reablement Services
- are receiving care services, as part of Section 117 arrangements of the Mental Health Act 2007
- are receiving care services funded by the NHS under Continuing Health Care (CHC)
- have needs that can be met by equipment or minor adaptations
How to appeal a decision
If you disagree with the financial assessment, you can appeal.
You can only appeal on the grounds that the information used to assess your contribution is incorrect or if you have disability-related expenditure that exceeds the 30% disregard for your Disability Living Allowance.
The letter sent to you, which will advise you of your assessed contribution, will contain details on how you can appeal.
Appeal against the assessed contribution towards your care
We can arrange and pay for your care and support and send you an invoice for the amount that you have to pay. Or you can choose to arrange the support you need and receive the money from us as a direct payment to cover the cost.
If you are moving into a care home, the financial assessment will take into account your income, savings, and the value of your property.
If you are not able to pay all of the contribution, you might be able to use the value of your home to help pay your care costs using something called a deferred payment.
A deferred payment is where you pay the amount determined by your income and savings, and the amount based on your house is lent to you by the council.
This means your care home bills are paid in full, and you repay us the amount you borrowed later when you decide to sell your home, or we can be paid back after your death.
Who can help me?
If you have any questions regarding payment for your care, please contact the Client Financial Services Team by emailing cfservices@plymouth.gov.uk or the Direct Payments Team via dpqueries@plymouth.gov.uk.
If you prefer to speak with someone, please call 01752 668000.
![](https://plymouthonlinedirectory.com/image/5447/Personal-Budgets-Panel/gi-responsive__100.png?m=1714656375567)
Personal budgets
Your personal budget is the amount of money the council will pay towards any social care and support you need. The amount of money in your personal budget is decided by the council after a financial assessment.
View page (Go to Personal budgets)![](https://plymouthonlinedirectory.com/image/5445/Direct-Payments-For-Care-and-Support-Panel/gi-responsive__100.png?m=1714653465307)
Direct payments for care and support
Direct payments are a way of receiving social care funding directly from the council, allowing you to manage and arrange your own care and support services. Direct payments give you the flexibility to choose the support that best meets your needs and preferences.
View page (Go to Direct payments for care and support)![](https://plymouthonlinedirectory.com/image/3925/Prepaid-Cards-Paying-For-Care-Panel/gi-responsive__100.png?m=1669817015347)
Prepaid cards
Although direct payments can offer you more choice and control over your care, prepaid cards are another option. They are a type of payment card that works similarly to a debit card, but with a key difference: the card needs to be topped up with funds before you can use it.
View page (Go to Prepaid cards)![](https://plymouthonlinedirectory.com/image/5448/How-To-Pay-Your-Care-Invoice-Panel/gi-responsive__100.png?m=1714657047677)
How to pay your care invoice
If you need to pay for your care and support, we'll tell you how much we'll pay towards your care, how much you need to pay and how you pay it. You have the option to pay by direct debit, online, using the telephone, or in person.
View page (Go to How to pay your care invoice)![](https://plymouthonlinedirectory.com/image/5462/Help-To-Pay-For-Your-Care-If-You-re-Running-Out-Of-Money-Panel/gi-responsive__100.png?m=1715680977037)
Help to pay for your care if you're running out of money (self-funding)
The cost of adult social care can be a significant concern, especially if your financial resources are limited. As you grow older, it's natural to worry about how you'll cover the cost of care if you need assistance with daily activities like washing, dressing, and getting around.
View page (Go to Help to pay for your care if you're running out of money (self-funding))![](https://plymouthonlinedirectory.com/image/5449/Independent-Financial-Advice-On-Paying-For-Care-Panel/gi-responsive__100.png?m=1714657450497)
Independent financial advice on paying for care
You should always ask for independent financial advice to help you decide how to pay long-term care costs and make sure you're claiming all the benefits and allowances you can. There are impartial financial advisers that focus specifically on care funding. They're often referred to as specialist care fee advisers.
View page (Go to Independent financial advice on paying for care)![](https://plymouthonlinedirectory.com/image/5446/Deferred-Payments-For-Care-Home-Costs-Panel/gi-responsive__100.png?m=1714655762857)
Deferred payments for care home costs
A deferred payment agreement is an arrangement with the council that lets people use the value of their homes to help pay care home costs. The amount that is not covered by your income and savings will be repaid to us when you decide to sell your home, or it can be paid back after your death.
View page (Go to Deferred payments for care home costs)![](https://plymouthonlinedirectory.com/image/5451/Care-Home-Top-Up-Fees-Panel/gi-responsive__100.png?m=1714728804810)
Care home top-up fees
If your choice of care home accommodation costs more than the council is willing to pay, someone else can make up the difference between that figure and the home's fee. This is known as a third-party top-up fee.
View page (Go to Care home top-up fees)![](https://plymouthonlinedirectory.com/image/5450/Employing-A-Personal-Assistant-Panel/gi-responsive__100.png?m=1714658510347)
Employing a Personal Assistant
As we age, or if you have a disability, everyday tasks can sometimes become more challenging. This can lead to a loss of independence and a feeling of isolation. Fortunately, there are a variety of support options available in Plymouth, and one such solution is a Personal Assistant (PA).
View page (Go to Employing a Personal Assistant)