Paying for care can be complex at times. It is important to take advice to make sure you are making the right decisions. The following services will all be able to guide you through the process.

1. Your local Social Services
2. The Benefits agency (0800 88 22 00)
3. Charities such as Mencap (0808 808 1111), National Autistic Society
4. Independent Financial Advisers. Call 0117 971 1177 to get a list of IFAs in your area.

As a first step you need to make sure you have a care assessment from your local authority and you have a social worker or care manager in place.

The Limits

The rules are different in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland but to summarise.

If your capital is less than £12,750 in England and Northern Ireland, £16,000 in Wales and £12,250 in Scotland then your local authority may pay for your care.

You will have to pay for the full costs of your care if you have more than £20,000 in Scotland, £21,000 in England and Northern Ireland and £21,500 in Wales.

For every £250 you have over the lower limit, the authorities will pay £1 less.

Your home would only be included in your assets if you live alone or both you and your partner were moving to a home. However, for the first 12 weeks after admission to a home on a permanent basis, the local authority will not take into account your house as part of you assets.

Help with Nursing Fees

If you are assessed by a registered nurse as having a need for nursing care, the NHS will pay a sum towards these costs.

Again the rules are different for each country.

1. In England you will be paid a figure based on whether you have been assessed as having high, medium or low nursing needs. From 1 April 2006 this figure is £133, £83 or £40 respectively per week.
2. In Wales there is a flat rate contribution of £111 per week towards Nursing Care.
3. In Northern Ireland there is a contribution of up to £100 a week.
4. In Scotland there is a flat rate of £65 per week for nursing care. In addition there is a flat rate of £145 per week for personal care.

The above information is based on our understanding and interpretation of the current rules. You should seek advice for information based on your own personal circumstances. All the figures above are based on 2006/07.