The Daily Telegraph has published an article offering advice on minimizing the amount paid for care whilst ensuring that children will receive an inheritance. Tips offered include:
- Make sure you claim all the welfare benefits to which you are entitled. Disability Living Allowance and Attendance Allowance are not currently means-tested.
- If your condition changes, ask for your care needs to be reassessed as you may qualify for more support.
- Sign over property and assets or place them in trust so that your estate is worth less than the threshold (currently £23,000) over which you have to fund your own care.
- Consider taking out long-term care insurance.
- Buy an immediate-care annuity, which provides you with a tax-free income to help meet some or all of your care costs – although this must be paid directly to the care provider.
- Always consult an independent financial adviser specializing in long-term care funding (ask if they have taken the CF8 exam) before you take any action on care fees planning.
The Telegraph’s advice is relevant to people whose primary need is for social and personal care. Anyone with an overriding health need should be assessed for continuing care, which is funded by the NHS. If you or a relative is paying for care which you feel should be funded by the NHS due to a serious health condition, please contact Cheselden so we can review your case.
