The means-test for help with care has been frozen for the 13th year running, meaning more people have to pay for their care.
Currently, those with savings of up to £23,250 are required to pay the full cost of their care.
The government said this will continue to be the case until December 2025, when the upper capital limit will jump to £100,000.
Individuals with savings lower than £14,250 do not have to self-fund their care but still have to contribute through income.
These limits were supposed to be capped in December 2022, before the government announced reforms to adult’s social care in October.
Why does this mean more people are paying for care?
These limits have remained the same since 2010-11 despite inflation, meaning significantly more people are paying for care than anticipated.
Simon Pottery of the King’s Fund says: “The failure to increase the upper capital limit even in line with inflation adds insult to injury for people needing care services because in October this year it should have risen to £100,000 as part of the government’s charging reforms, which have now been postponed until 2025.
“This would have meant many more people were entitled to some support with care costs. Even if the upper threshold had just risen consistently in line with inflation it would now be around £30,000 rather than £23,250.”
To find out if you’re entitled to any support with paying for care, get in touch with your local council who will be able to conduct a financial assessment.
Imperium Solutions appreciates the enormous pressure this has put on local authorities across the UK and hopes to see close communication between LAs and government as they navigate budgets for the year ahead.
Are you looking to implement real change into your Adults Social Care service? Here at Imperium Solutions, we offer bespoke staffing solutions, including experienced project managers, who can help with demand management diagnostics and review full process workflows.
Get in touch with us today on 0203 8929 344 to find out more about how we can help.
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