Editorial content supplied by: the NHS
Renting out your home
Telephone help
You can rent out your home and use the income to help pay your care home fees.
Get advice on paying for care from:
A deferred payment scheme
• Independent Age on freephone 0800 319 6789
A deferred payment scheme can be useful if you have savings less than £23,250 and all your money is tied up in your property.
• the Money Advice Service on freephone 0800 138 7777
The council pays for your care home and you repay it later when you choose to sell your home, or after your death. Ask your council if you’re eligible for a deferred payment scheme. You can get more information from: • the Money Advice Service: deferred payment schemes • Independent Age: guide to care home fees and your property
• Age UK on freephone 0800 169 6565
If your savings run out If your savings fall below £23,250, your council might be able to help with the cost of care. Contact your local council about 3 months before you think your savings will drop to below £23,250 and ask them to reassess your finances. Councils provide funding from the date you contact them. You won’t be reimbursed if your savings are less than £23,250 before you contact them.
Get expert financial help
What you can get for free
You can get unbiased expert advice from a specialist care fees adviser.
You might be able to get some free help regardless of your income or if you’re paying for your care.
They’ll help you compare all your options before you decide what’s right for you.
This can include:
Find a specialist care fees adviser in your area with: • PayingForCare, a free information service for older people • the Society of Later Life Advisers (SOLLA) on 0333 2020 454
• small bits of equipment or home adaptations that each cost less than £1,000 • NHS care, such as NHS continuing healthcare, NHS-funded nursing care and care after you have been discharged from hospital 17
