NHS CHC vs LA-Funded Care vs Self-Funder
How your care is paid for depends on the level of health need and your assets. The three routes have very different consequences for what you pay and what care you can access.
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CHC eligibility is much wider than commonly assumed. Many self-funders should be CHC-funded but never had an assessment. Always request a CHC checklist if the cared-for person has complex or rapidly changing health needs. Deferred Payment Agreements bridge the gap for property-rich, cash-poor self-funders.
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NHS Continuing Healthcare (CHC) is a package of ongoing care fully funded by the NHS for people whose primary need for care arises from a health condition rather than social care needs. If you qualify, the NHS pays for all your care — including care home fees — with no means test. Eligibility is often misunderstood and many eligible people are not assessed.
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Care Needs Assessment Basics
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Deferred Payment Agreement: How the Council Pays Care Costs Until You Sell
A Deferred Payment Agreement (DPA) is a loan from the local council that pays your care home fees while you keep your home — and is recovered from the eventual sale or your estate. It removes the pressure to sell a family home quickly under duress. DPAs are available to most homeowners in residential care. This guide explains who qualifies, the interest rate, and the alternatives.
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