Paying for care

Working out how to fund care is often one of the most confusing parts of arranging support. There are three main funding options, and some clients use a combination. Below, we explain how each option works.

Direct payments

A direct payment is money your local authority pays directly to you so you can arrange your own care, rather than having the council choose a provider for you. You have full choice over who supports you, and you can choose East End Home Care Limited.

How to get a direct payment

1. Request a needs assessment. Contact your local authority's Adult Social Care team (or the Children with Disabilities team for a child). This assessment is free and is your legal right.
2. Complete a financial assessment. The local authority will review your income and savings to determine what, if anything, you need to contribute. Different rules apply for children.
3. Agree a support plan and budget. If you are eligible, the local authority sets a personal budget outlining the care you need.
4. Choose direct payments. Ask the local authority to receive your personal budget as a direct payment.
5. Contact us. Share your budget and required care hours with us. We will provide written confirmation of the care we can deliver.

Local authorities require proof that direct payments are spent on care. We provide clear, itemised monthly invoices showing visit dates, times and carer names to make your accounting simple.

Self-funded care

If you are not eligible for local authority funding, or would prefer not to wait for a council assessment, you can arrange and pay for care directly with us.

There are no assessments to pass and no waiting lists. Following an initial assessment visit in your home, we will provide a clear written agreement detailing:

• Your hourly rate
• Exactly what is included in your service
• Notice periods for modifying or ending care

We invoice monthly for self-funded care.

Even if you plan to pay for care privately, we always recommend requesting a free local authority needs assessment. It creates an official record of your needs that may prove helpful if your health or financial circumstances change in the future.

NHS funding

If your need for care is primarily driven by a health condition rather than age or frailty, the NHS may pay for your care.

NHS Continuing Healthcare (CHC). If you are eligible, the NHS covers the full cost of your care at home. This is non-means-tested and based entirely on an assessment of your health needs. Assessments are usually arranged via a hospital discharge team, district nurse or GP, though you can also request a checklist assessment yourself.

Section 117 aftercare. If you have been detained under certain sections of the Mental Health Act, you are entitled to free aftercare services. Please let us know at the start, as this affects how care is funded.

Please note: because we do not provide clinical nursing care, NHS-funded Nursing Care does not apply to our services.

Additional benefits and financial support

You or a family member may also be eligible for non-means-tested government benefits to help cover daily support costs:

• Attendance Allowance for people over State Pension age who need help with personal care
• Personal Independence Payment (PIP) for adults of working age living with long-term health conditions or disabilities
• Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for children under 16 with care needs
• Carer's Allowance for a family member providing a significant amount of unpaid care

Talk to us

If you know which funding option applies to you, we can quickly confirm how we can help and what it will cost. Call us on 0208 154 6074 or send us an enquiry to discuss your situation.