Paying for Care when Suffering from Severe M.E. (ENGLAND)

Key Points:

Needs Assessment:

• First Step: Request a needs assessment from your local authority, applicable for both individuals and carers.
• The assessment determines eligibility for services and creates a care and support plan detailing:
  • Outcomes to achieve.
  • Assessed needs and how they’ll be met.
  • A personal budget figure, including any agreed direct payments.

Personal Budget:

• Definition: The cost to the local authority of meeting your assessed eligible needs.
• Includes a financial assessment to determine your contribution.
• Can be accessed as:
  1. A direct payment (money given to you).
  2. A local authority-managed budget.
  3. An individual service fund (managed by a third party).
  4. A mix of these options.

Self-Funders:

• Those with over £28,750 in capital may need to self-fund but can request services from the local authority, which may charge an arrangement fee.

Direct Payments:

• Empower individuals to use funds in ways that best meet their assessed needs.
• Options include hiring carers or using home-care agencies.
• Support groups and advice may be available to help manage direct payments.