Proposed Care Home Reforms | Davis Blank Furniss Solicitors

Based on the recommendations of Andrew Dilnot the government will be reforming the way that people pay for their care from 2017. Although these reforms will provide extra help for people who face very high care home costs they come with caveats.

The government is introducing a £75,000 cap on the costs an individual has to pay to meet their care and support needs over their lifetime. This means that once an individual has paid £75,000 towards their care home fees, the government will pay the rest. This cap only applies to people with “eligible” needs which are yet to be defined and does not include general living costs such as food and accommodation.

The threshold for means-tested support for adults in residential care is also being increased from between £14,250 and £23,250 (the figures today) to £17,500 – £123,000 (the figures as they will be in 2017). This means that if you fall in between that bracket the government will provide you will some financial support.

There will also be the option of deferred payment so that people who cannot afford their reasonable residential care fees will not have to sell their house during their lifetime to cover their fees. Instead they can defer the sale until after they pass away.

The government will fund the new reforms by freezing the tax free allowance each of us has for inheritance tax. The nil-rate band is currently frozen until April 2015 at £325,000 for individuals. This freeze is now set to continue for a further 3 years from 2015-2016.

If you need any advice about protecting your assets from inheritance tax or care costs, contact Karen Witter – partner in our Private Client department – karen.witter@dbf-law.co.uk

Testimonials

Read what our clients have to say...

View All

Excellent experience start to finish – always very responsive to any queries and the turnaround on the property I was buying was very quick, even in the busy time leading up to stamp duty deadline. Jenny was always very helpful and went above and beyond to close on a short timescale.

Ben Armitage

“Very approachable, practical solutions to problems, but most of all very responsive which I personally think is very important because if you need help, you need it quickly, or at least to know someone is looking at it for you”.

Joanne Rowe, Finance Director, Greater Manchester Chamber

“Always able to contact, very approachable, friendly and professional”

Nives Feely, JAM Recruitment

“I believe I have been able to establish a professional working relationship with everyone I have come into contact. Importantly, I sense the relationships which have been established give me the confidence that I can make contact with Davis Blank Furniss at any time and on any matter. I would also like to express my thanks to the very impressive “gatekeepers” who work in reception, not only for making me very welcome, but also for their professionalism”

Bill Pryke, CEO, Chartered Institution of Civil Engineering Surveyors

“Thank you for your efficient and friendly help throughout this process. We have had it easy but your approach has been part of that”.

Robert Amsbury (Conveyancing Client)

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank you personally for the ongoing support and assistance the firm has offered to our parents over the years. I hope also that we may be able to call on you if necessary in the future.”

Valerie Fisher (Probate Client)

“Jo always provides great service, understands our needs and delivers on her promises. Our needs are relatively simple but the complexity arises out of the volume of work and short time frames, Jo always delivers.”

Peter Fernandez, Corporate Director at Royal Bank of Scotland

“A big thank you to all who dealt with my wife’s claim… We would not hesitate to recommend Davis Blank Furniss to anyone that may be in a situation like we have been…”

Anon (Personal Injury client)

“Before putting my case in Kirsty (Morbey)’s capable hands I’ve met a couple of other solicitors. None of them listen to me as intently as Kirsty and showed me as much empathy and understanding as she did. Simultaneously she was able to look at my case from legal perspective, explain all the options and follow each of our meetings with written summary of the discussed matters (in timely manner). Her advice was invaluable and led me to successfully ending the case matter (hopeful for good). I’m forever grateful for he work and would definitely recommend her to anyone looking for reliable, knowledgeable and committed solicitor”.

Anon (Family client)
5 star service

Our Manchester office is rated 5 stars on Google