Other sources of financial help and support

A  non-taxable (or means-tested) benefit that is available to people over retirement age who, due to an illness or disability, would benefit from help with washing, dressing or eating, during the day or overnight.

You can claim Attendance Allowance if you meet all of the following criteria:

• over State Pension age (if you haven’t reached it, you may be eligible for Personal Independence Payment (PIP) instead – see below)
• could benefit from help with personal care, such as getting washed or dressed, or supervision to keep you safe during the day or night
• have any type of disability or illness, including sight or hearing impairments, or mental health issues such as dementia
• have needed help for at least six months. If you are terminally ill you can make a claim straight away.

Call the Attendance Allowance helpline to request a claims form or to get help and information:

Phone: 0800 731 0122

Textphone: 0845 604 5312

Mon-Fri 8am-6pm

You can find advice and tips on completing the form on the Which? website.

A benefit for people aged 16 and over, but under the State Pension age, who need help with daily living activities or getting around, or both. PIP has replaced the Disability Living Allowance. If you’re awarded PIP before you’re of State Pension age, you’ll continue to receive it after too. You can still make a claim if you’re working.

Claim by calling the Department for Work and Pensions on 0800 917 2222. Other ways to claim can be found on GOV.UK.

If you are self-funding your residential care fees, but your money is tied up in your property, you may be eligible for a 12-week property disregard. This is when the local authority ignores the value of your property for the first 12 weeks when assessing your finances and will cover your care fees during this period. This will give you time to sell your property or consider what other options are open to you.

After 12 weeks, the value of your property will be counted as part of your capital and you will be required to pay the full cost of your care. 

The Carewise care fees specialists can support you to decide if this is the right option for you. Arrange to speak to a care fees specialist.

This is an arrangement with the local authority that will allow you to use the value of your home to help pay the cost of your residential care.

Deferred payment agreements will suit some people’s circumstances better than others and is only one way to pay for your care.

In England, all councils are required to offer deferred payments if the person meets the following criteria:

• assessed by a social worker as needing residential care
• currently living or going to live permanently in a registered residential care or nursing home
• have savings and investments of £23,250 or less (not including the value of your main or only home
• has mental capacity to enter into a deferred payments agreement or have a legally appointed person who is willing to do so
• Has sufficient equity in the property for the deferred payment agreement to be sustainable for two years.

The council will charge fees to arrange and manage the deferred payment agreement, and you will also need to pay interest on deferred payments in the same way as a bank would charge it on a loan.

To find out more, read the West Sussex County Council information leaflet Deferred payments What do I need to know?

As with all important financial decisions, we strongly recommend that you get independent financial advice if you are thinking about having a deferred payment. Arrange to speak to a care fees specialist. 

Please see Will the NHS pay for my care?

Please see Will the NHS pay for my care?