Paying for your own social care – self-funding
If you're paying for the full cost of the services you receive to live independently at home or in a care home, you are known as a self-funder.
This means that either:
you have chosen not to approach adult social care for help
you have chosen not to be financially assessed
you have been assessed but not currently eligible for adult social care services
you have approached adult social care and although your needs show that you are eligible for social care support, your savings or assets are above £23,250 (2011/12)
What help can I get as a self-funder
If we can’t help with the costs of your care, you are still entitled to the same free help and detailed advice in working out your needs and finding the right service for you as everyone else.
We can do this by arranging an assessment and visiting you at home to look at the activities that you are able to achieve and those that you may need support with.
There are lots of services available designed to help you live independently at home.
What is an assessment?
If you are aged 65 or over or have a disability, you are entitled to a free assessment of your needs regardless of your financial circumstances.
The assessment will involve a discussion at your home with one our social worker or care manager. If you would like a member of your family or a friend present, this is possible.
We believe you should identify your own needs, decide how you are supported, who provides your support and when.
We will help you to look at –
what you can do
what you are good at
what sort of things you like doing most
how you like things done; and
what you want to achieve in life.
In addition, with your consent, we may also speak to a doctor or nurse who you may have contact with, to help build a clearer picture about your situation.
We want you to remain independent at home and will be looking at what help you might need to achieve this. If the assessment reveals that you do require help, we will talk to you and consider what options you have to get the support you need.
Contact
If you would like to arrange an assessment, please contact the Adult Access team on 020 8583 3100 or email adultsocialcare@hounslow.gov.uk.
If you would prefer to arrange your own support without any help from the council, you could contact Help in Hounslow who will provide advice, information and advocacy.
Email info@helpinhounslow.org.uk or phone 0300 012 0246.
To find out more about help in hounslow, visit the website, available on ths page under external links.