Frequently Asked Questions about Care Home Funding

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Do you take Social Services Funded Residents?
2. Do I have to put my Mum/Dad in the Care Home that Hampshire County Council have recommended?
3. My Loved one is privately funded, what happens when their money runs out?
4. At which point do HCC take over funding my loved one’s care fees?
5. Am I going to have to sell my Mum/Dad’s house?
6. As a privately-funded client, when should I contact HCC about my loved one’s money running low?
7. As a privately funded client, is there any financial help or benefit we can get towards care home fees?
8. As a Social Service’s funded client, will I have to contribute towards the care home fees?
9. Do you take residents funded from a different Local Authority, other than Hampshire County Council?

1. Do you take Social Services Funded Residents?
Yes, we do.  We are on the Hampshire County Council (HCC) Care Home Framework (CHF), which is a bit of jargon that HCC use to say they will place residents with us at an agreed fee to them.  

2. Do I have to put my Mum/Dad in the Care Home that Hampshire County Council have recommended?
Short answer, no.  HCC are not always the best at explaining this.
Now the longer answer; Hampshire County Council will always try and place new residents in one of their own homes, as this is more cost effective for them.  In Ringwood this normally means Bickerley Green residential care home, however this does not have to be the case.  We think Bickerley Green is a great care home, but it’s not for everyone, and when you are choosing a care home for your Mum or Dad we strongly recommend you look at as many options as possible.  Choosing a care home, is a bit like choosing a hotel, some people may prefer a small, family-run country hotel, and some people may prefer a larger, corporate type, there are pros and cons to both, but at the end of the day it’s down to personal taste.  You know your Mum or Dad best, and you know what would work best for them, so trust your instincts and look at as many options as possible  If you look at all the options and end up deciding that Oak Mount is the one for your loved-one, then tell HCC and, as we are on the Care Home Framework, they will be able to come to us.

3. My Loved one is privately funded, what happens when their money runs out?
This is a very important question, that you should ask any care home you are looking at as a possibility for your loved one.  Care Homes are expensive, and even large amounts of money can disappear quickly.  At Oak Mount Care Home we have a mix of privately and Social Services funded residents, but it is really important to note that when we take a privately funded resident, when their money runs out, we guarantee to take the Hampshire County Council rate, you should clarify whether this is the case at any care home you are looking at.  To be clear, at Oak Mount, when your loved one’s personal funds deplete, they will be allowed to stay at Oak Mount as we guarantee that we will accept HCC’s fees. However, HCC will carry out their own assessment as part of funding approval to ensure your Mum’s/Dad’s needs are met.

4. At which point do HCC take over funding my loved one’s care fees?
Once your Mum/Dad’s available assets fall to £23,250 (As of April 2026), then, broadly speaking, HCC will fund our care home fees with the following caveats:

1. If Social Services have not quite completed all their assessments, then you will be asked to continue to pay the care fees until this is approved. Then HCC should refund you.
2. Between, £14,250 and £23,250 Social Services will ask you to make a contribution towards the fees, but this will be explained to you in their initial financial assessment.

5. Am I going to have to sell my Mum/Dad’s house?
In all probability, yes, as it is considered a financial asset. This would depend on your individual circumstances, which HCC will assess as part of their funding approval process. Care home placements are very expensive, which HCC understand and, therefore, there is a process which allows HCC to temporarily fund your loved one’s stay at Oak Mount until the property is sold. This is called a 12-Week Disregard. Realistically, most properties do not sell within 12 weeks and most of us cannot afford care home fees without the proceeds of the property sale. So, beyond the 12 weeks, HCC will put in place a deferred payment scheme, which will act as loan, this will allow your Mum/Dad to stay at Oak Mount until the property is sold. At which point you will repay the loan to HCC.

6. As a privately-funded client, when should I contact HCC about my loved one’s money running low?
HCC’s funding approval process may take some time, as the wheels in Social Services  tend to turn quite slowly. They ask you to contact them once your Mum/Dad’s finances are approaching £40,000 to give them time to get their assessments completed. Having said that, a current resident at Oak Mount was recently told to contact them when they reached the £23,250 threshold.

7. As a privately funded client, is there any financial help or benefit we can get towards care home fees?
Yes.  All privately-funded clients should be able to get the higher rate of Attendance Allowance, currently £114.60 per week.  It is important you apply for this as soon as possible, as we believe it is backdated to when the initial application is made.  Once your loved one has moved in, we can help you with their care needs when filling in this form.
There may be other benefits available, such as Personal Independence Payments (PIP), however, you should take advice on this, possibly from Citizens Advice Bureau.

As a Social Service’s funded client, will I have to contribute towards the care home fees?
Yes.  Social Services Financial Team (FAB) will carry out an assessment of your Mum/Dad’s income, which will include state pension, private pension, interest, dividends etc. and they will take nearly all of that towards our fees, this is called the “client contribution” leaving  your loved one with a small “Personal Expenses Allowance” for luxuries, toiletries, etc.  The Personal Allowance is currently £31.80 per week.

9. Do you take residents funded from a different Local Authority, other than Hampshire County Council?
Yes.  We currently have residents from Dorset County Council and Southampton City Council, and have had residents from Surrey County Council and others in the past.  There are sometimes a few hoops we have to jump through to get things in place, but all quite simple.