Price Guide - Funding and paying for your care

Our home care fees (Daytime support 7am - 10pm daily)

Bluebird Care Rushcliffe & Melton will always be transparent, open, and honest when it comes to home care service fees. Please see below for our latest price guide*. All the advertised rates are fully inclusive of the care assistants’ travel time and mileage to your home – there are no hidden costs. We offer exceptional value with unmatched quality, expertise, and peace of mind.

How to pay for your home care

1. Knowing how much to pay - Every 4 weeks we will send you an invoice. This is a request for payment for the care and support you have received.  We can send your invoice by post or email. 

2. When will payment be due? - Payment will be due within 14 days of receipt of invoice.

3. Payment method - You can pay by cheque, direct bank transfer (internet banking), by card over the phone, or by standing order.

Getting support with funding your home care

Whilst many people need to pay for their care privately (self-funding), it is worth contacting your Local Authority for a 'Care Needs & Financial Assessment' to determine whether you qualify for any financial support with your home care funding. For most people living within our area of operation, this will be Nottinghamshire County Council Tel: 0300 500 80 80. With your permission, Bluebird Care Rushcliffe & Melton, your GP, or district nurse can refer you for an assessment on your behalf. In such cases, we will work in partnership with the funding body to get the support you need in place as quickly and seamlessly as possible.

Will the local council pay for some or all of my home care costs?

How much you need to pay for home care depends on a number of factors, including your income and savings. For this reason, the care needs & financial assessment is means tested. One of the advantages of home care is that the value of your property will not be included as an asset for the purposes of paying for your care.

Certain types of income, such as money from some disability benefits and pensions, may not be counted in the means test. This also applies to certain types of capital. All other income and capital can be taken into account.

If all your eligible income is taken into account in your means test, you must be left with an income of £189.00 per week, if you’re single and above Pension Credit qualifying age. This is known as the Minimum Income Guarantee.

If you’re eligible for financial support to pay for home care, social services can liaise with Bluebird Care Rushcliffe & Melton on your behalf. Alternatively, you can choose to receive direct payments and arrange home care directly with us yourself.

What other funding options / help is available?

Although the Local Authority will look at your specific circumstances during the care needs & financial assessment, it is worth considering the following financial strategies to reduce your home care costs.

1. Check if you're eligible​ for the Attendence Allowance - This helps with extra costs if you have a disability severe enough that you need someone to help look after you. It’s paid at 2 different rates and how much you get depends on the level of care that you need because of your disability. It does not cover mobility needs. You could get £68.10 or £101.75 a week to help with personal support if you’re both physically or mentally disabled and state pension age or older.
2. You could get extra Pension Credit, Housing Benefit or Council Tax Reduction if you get Attendance Allowance.
3. You might be eligible for Personal Independence Payment (PIP) if you’re under State Pension age and you need help with daily living activities, getting around, or both, because of a long-term illness or disability. PIP could give you a little extra money to help you pay for things. You can spend PIP on whatever you need. PIP has two parts: a daily living component and a mobility component. You might be able to claim one or both components.
4. If you have a carer already e.g. family member or friend, they might be able to claim Carer's Allowance. You could get £76.75 a week if you care for someone at least 35 hours a week and they get certain benefits. You do not have to be related to, or live with, the person you care for. You do not get paid extra if you care for more than one person. If someone else also cares for the same person as you, only one of you can claim Carer’s Allowance.
5. You might want to consider Equity Release. This is a way for people who are aged 55 and over to unlock tax-free cash from their home. Equity release can be used to help you maintain your independence throughout you later life, for example by adapting the home to better support your needs (installing a wet room, stairlift, or landscaping a garden to make it more manageable) or to pay for home care. There are no affordability checks, and the money you release, which depends on your age, home’s value, and health conditions or lifestyle choices, is yours to spend in a variety of ways.

*Disclaimer: The prices advertised on our website are subject to change without prior notice. While we strive to maintain accurate and up-to-date pricing information, please be aware that fluctuations in market conditions, supplier costs, and other factors beyond our control may necessitate adjustments to our prices. As a result, the prices displayed may not always reflect the most current rates at the time of booking. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause and assure you that we are committed to providing fair and transparent pricing to our customers.