The 12-week disregard
When you move into a council-funded care home or nursing home, the value of your property is ignored for the first 12 weeks. This is called the 12-week disregard. It gives you time to decide what to do with your property and how you will pay for future care.
The 12-week disregard starts from the date your care becomes permanent. It includes the 4-week trial period. During this time, only the value of your property is ignored. You will still pay towards your care based on your income and savings. A deferred payment agreement may help with these costs.
How charges work
Charging will work as follows:
- In weeks 1 to 12 the value of your property is ignored. You pay an amount based on your income and savings.
- After 4 weeks, if you get Attendance Allowance, Disability Living Allowance or Personal Independence Payment, these benefits must stop. The Department for Work and Pensions will do this.
- From week 13 the value of your property is included. You will pay the full cost of your care and will be classed as self-funding. Your benefits can start again.
If you use the deferred payment scheme, you can keep up to £144 per week as disposable income. This is set by the government. You can choose to keep less, but we will not ask you to.
Top-up payments
You or someone acting for you may want care or accommodation that costs more than the amount in your personal budget. This extra cost is called a top-up payment.
If you or a third party can afford the top-up, we can agree to this. If you have a deferred payment agreement, you may be able to add the top-up cost to it, if there is enough equity in your home.
Talk to your social worker or financial assessor about this. You can also get independent advice.