How your home is treated in the financial assessment
If you own, or have an interest in, more than one property it is very likely that your capital assets are more than £23,250 and therefore would be expected to pay the full cost of your care and would not be entitled to financial assistance from the council.
If you only own the home you live in, this is normally regarded as an asset but can be disregarded in the following circumstances if it is occupied by:
- your partner
- a former partner who is a single parent
- a relative aged 60 years old or over
- a disabled younger relative
- a dependent child under 18
The Council also has discretionary power to disregard the value of your property where it is the home of someone else not included on the above list, such as a relative under 60 who has been caring for you or a friend who is over 60.
The authority does not have to exercise this power but will give individual consideration to any requests to do so.
12-week property disregard
If you own your home only (or own a part of it valued at more than £23,250) but you have savings of less than £23,250, you may be entitled to financial assistance from the council for up to 12 weeks initial funding by the council to assist with your care home fees.
At the end of the 12 weeks, although you will then be liable to meet the full cost of your care, you can ask the council for a loan to help meet care fees pending the sale of the property - this is known as a deferred payment agreement.
Click here for further information on deferred payment agreements.
Last reviewed: 18/07/2019
