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Financial assessments: what you need to know

Information for people receiving care in a residential or nursing home

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This booklet will help you prepare for your financial assessment. It tells you why we carry out financial assessments, the questions we will ask and the documents and information you will need to provide as evidence.

Why do I need a financial assessment?

We carry out financial assessments to work out how much you may need to pay towards the cost of your care and support. We call this your contribution.

The amount of your contribution will depend on your financial circumstances and how much you can reasonably afford to pay. A member of the Assessment Team will contact you to arrange your financial assessment.

If you prefer, you can fill in an assessment form and post or email it to us with the evidence and information we ask you for. Let the Assessment Team know if you would like them to send you a form.

Please see the checklist of the evidence we may need to see.

The financial assessment should be simpler for you if you get the documents and information ready beforehand.

What we look at in your financial assessment

If you will be living long term in a residential or nursing home, we will look at the money you receive (your income), the value of any property you own, and savings and assets (your capital). We will make sure you are left with a personal allowance to cover any other expenses you have.

If you will be staying in a residential or nursing home for a short time, we will also consider your ongoing housing costs as part of the financial assessment, as you will be planning to return home after your stay.

For more detailed information about how we work out your contribution, please see our ‘Choosing and paying towards care in a residential or nursing home’ leaflet. Please visit our website at westsussex.gov.uk and search under ‘Adults’ social care publications’. Or you can contact our Adults’ CarePoint and ask for a copy. See the contact details on the 'Contact us' page.

We are committed to equality, celebrating diversity and preventing unlawful discrimination. We value the people we support, our staff and partners for who they are, and we actively promote fairness and respect for all.

Last updated: 08 June 2023