Paying for Care Home Fees

[jpbee]

I'm hoping there is someone here in the know as I'm struggling to find an answer to this.

So I understand the means test and that you get help to pay for care costs if your estate is worth less than £23,250.

First Question - Is is correct that the £23,250 refers to your entire estate, or does it just mean your savings accounts? I've read conflicting information on this.

Second Question: Your estate/savings is worth over £23,250, lets say you have £100,000 - is the money spent until it is at £0 before the council will step in and fund? Or will they step in when your estate reduces to the £23,250 level?

Reason for asking: family member is being placed in nursing care at young age (63). Their estate will be automatically used to pay for the care fees. There is a possibility that due to their young age, the entire estate may end up being spent on the care fees, leaving £0 to pay for a funeral and cover the legal costs we are currently incurring to arrange power of attorney.

@florentina1 I haven't spoken to the solicitor directly, it is BIL who is dealing with them. And BIL is still referring to it as POA when we speak but I think he is just doing this out of habit/to not confuse us!

@florentina1 Thank you for the suggestion of speaking to AGE UK

Council will fund the care while you apply for deputyship and claim it back once it's sorted. Make sure you contact social services if it's not already done to get the ball rolling.

I also found the people at the Public Guardian Office very helpful. Their website is excellent. I suggest that you read through their Information and make notes of any area which don’t apply to your relative. It is a broad guide but, each person requiring Guardianship is unique

@gukvguk @florentina1 Thank you both for taking the time to share these suggestions.