What about my benefits?
If you move into a residential home you are generally not entitled to any benefits other than the basic retirement pension and possibly a pension credit..
Pension Credit/Income Support — Depending on your savings, the money in your home or any other capital and income you may have, you may be entitled to Pension Credit/Income Support to top up your income, even if you get council funding or a loan. The Department for Work and Pensions may ignore the value of the property where you live before entering into residential care if you’re taking reasonable steps to sell it.
Attendance Allowance and Disability Living Allowance — If you’re disabled, or need help with personal care, you may be able to claim Attendance Allowance or Disability Living Allowance (Care Component) as long as you pay the full fee for your place in the home and don’t get financial help from us. If we pay part of your fees your Attendance Allowance/Disability Living Allowance (Care Component) payment will stop after four weeks, or earlier if you have already been in hospital or short term care.
You should also notify the Attendance Allowance/Disability Living Allowance (Care Component) office of any change in your circumstances. You can use these benefits to pay some of your care fees. This may make it easier for you to afford to pay the fees yourself without our help. It could also mean that you’ll not use up your other monies as quickly.
If you’re receiving any benefits from the Department for Work and Pensions, you should tell them when you move into a care home. You’ll need to enclose information on when you were admitted to care and to which home you’ve moved.
SheffCare's Resident Finance team have many years experience in navigating the maze of funding criteria and will be happy to talk with you and advise you as to your options. Any information you divulge will of course be in the strictest confidence. Please call Lynn or Margaret in our Resident Finance team on 0114 221 3217 or 221 3202 or email them at residents.finance@sheffcare.co.uk and they will be happy to help you or point you in the right direction.