Health Benefits and Care Homes

whitejohn

I have been told that should I ever need an elderly care home, I will not be entitled to it because I do not pay council tax, is this correct?

I'm no fixed abode and living in my touring caravan, my choice.

In reality I will have to pay for my own care as I have cash from the sale of my house but it would be handy to know where I stand with benefits as I have paid in to the system for over 50 years.

Thanks

teddysmum

I'm just guessing, but self funding should be no problem and will be essential anyway (unless you have certain ailments that need special nursing care, so the NHS pays ). However, once ones assets drop below £23250 (currently), the local authority begins to help, but you would need to be on their books to qualify As they only cover their 'own' people).


Surely living in a tourer (having to carry water, empty toilets etc) will become more difficult with age, so perhaps you should look towards getting a permanent home, now. You will then pay council tax and come under the councils umbrella (assuming you meet any qualifying residency duration they may have).

whitejohn

teddysmum wrote: »

I'm just guessing, but self funding should be no problem and will be essential anyway (unless you have certain ailments that need special nursing care, so the NHS pays ). However, once ones assets drop below £23250 (currently), the local authority begins to help, but you would need to be on their books to qualify As they only cover their 'own' people).


Surely living in a tourer (having to carry water, empty toilets etc) will become more difficult with age, so perhaps you should look towards getting a permanent home, now. You will then pay council tax and come under the councils umbrella (assuming you meet any qualifying residency duration they may have).

Thanks that's very useful information and you have a good understanding of my current situation. Although happy with what I'm doing I'm also keeping a lookout for a small flat to buy or residential home to rent.

I'm considering staying in this area so declared "local connection" 2 years ago and hope that this will help.

With living cheaply just now, my funds should last 10 to 15 years depending upon whether I buy or rent.

Bogalot

In one of the care homes I work with we have several residents that wefe previously homeless. They have been referred to social services either via the NHS (GP or hospital) or advice services (council, Shelter, Age UK). Once this referral is made SS have a responsibility for them, and in the absence of evidence to the contrary they will be treated as resident in that area. So as someone with no fixed abode you could be referred for assistance with social care via several agencies, there is no need to establish residency but rather a burden on them (should they wish to) to establish that another authority should have responsibility for you.

whitejohn

Bogalot wrote: »

In one of the care homes I work with we have several residents that wefe previously homeless. They have been referred to social services either via the NHS (GP or hospital) or advice services (council, Shelter, Age UK). Once this referral is made SS have a responsibility for them, and in the absence of evidence to the contrary they will be treated as resident in that area. So as someone with no fixed abode you could be referred for assistance with social care via several agencies, there is no need to establish residency but rather a burden on them (should they wish to) to establish that another authority should have responsibility for you.

Thanks that's very reassuring in the unlikely event that I should need care after trying to support myself. So far I have been very impressed with the services I have received from the NHS, GP and staff at the practice where I am registered as NFA.

elsien

Under the care act there is a duty on local authorities regardless of original circumstances.