People who currently pay the full cost for their care and support are known as self-funders. When savings reduce, they may become eligible for financial support from the local authority
Who is a self-funder?
A self-funder is someone who pays for all of their own care and support without financial help from the local authority. This could include paying for care in your own home or in a care home.
You are considered a self-funder if you:
- Have savings over £23,250
- Choose not to have a financial assessment
- Do not complete the financial assessment paperwork
Self-funders who arrange their care privately will choose their care provider and liaise with them directly over the set-up of care, paying for care, and making any changes to care packages.
What help can I have as a self-funder?
Self-funders have the same rights to request a social care assessment as people who have their care and support funded.
If you are a self-funder, you can still:
- Receive advice about your options and help to make a care plan.
- Have care in your own home arranged (there is a set‑up fee and weekly admin charge for this service).
Will I always be a self-funder?
If your savings drop below £23,250 or your financial circumstances change, you may be eligible for financial support.
When your savings are around £30,000, you should contact Staffordshire Cares on 0300 111 8010 to ask for a reassessment of your finances.
What happens when I contact Adult Social Care?
You will have a conversation with a Social Worker or social care assessor (virtually or in person) to find out what support you may need, if you are eligible for help under the Care Act (2014) and if so, agree a support plan.
You will complete a financial assessment to look at your circumstances, income, capital, and regular expenses to work out if you are eligible for financial support and, if so, what your weekly charge might be. This is done in line with the Care Act (2014) and our local charging policy.
You will need to continue to pay for your care whilst the assessment is completed. You will be told about any changes to the funding of your care. Funding may be backdated in some circumstances, but only ever as far back as when you asked us for help
Will my care stay the same?
After your assessment, we will work with you to ensure that your care and support needs are met by a suitable care option.
Where appropriate and if you would like, we will work with your existing provider to review your current care provision against your new support plan to see if it could continue to meet your eligible needs.
If the care you have been receiving is not meeting your needs or if the care you have been receiving is costing more than we would normally fund, we may need to make changes.
This could include:
- Arranging for a third party (usually a family member) to pay a ‘top-up’ to fund the difference between the care needed to meet your eligible needs and your current care provision.
- Working together to find a new provider that can meet your needs within the rate we can fund; this may mean changing home care providers or moving to a different care home.
Who should I contact if I have any questions?
If you have any questions, you can call Staffordshire Cares on 0300 111 8010.
You may also find information about paying for social care through organisations such as Citizens Advice, Age UK and Money Advice Search.
