Independent Living Fund (ILF) The Independent Living Fund (ILF) makes payments to disabled people to help them lead a more independent life. Note: The ILF is permanently closed to new applications. FAQs about paying for live-in care   What is a Personal Budget? There are ways to pay for live-in care services without needing to sell your home. If you wish to stay at home with 24-hour live-in care, any difference between funding offered and charges by the Care Agency will have to be met by the family or via other assets, such as a partial equity release from the property. Remember that if you enter a Residential Home, the Local Authority will ask for sale of the house to pay for the Residential Care (or offer a bridging loan until the sale, at which time you will be asked to pay the money back). Only for clients whose assets fall below £22,500 will assistance be offered. Direct Payments These are cash payments in lieu of community care services you have been assessed as needing, and are intended to give you greater choice in your care. For further information click here. For Financial Assessment information click here. How does the funding process work? First, the Local Authority determines how much money you might need, what percentage they will contribute, and if you want to manage your own money with a personal budget. Once agreed, a care support plan is created, setting out priorities and goals and how we can help meet them. When you agree to the Care Support Plan, your funding will begin. Is funding paid directly to me? The funding can be paid to you directly, or to someone who you have assigned to manage it for you. You will then be able to buy-in to the care of your choice. If you prefer, your Local Authority's Care Manager can use your personal budget to arrange the services of your choice. What may I spend care funding on? You are allowed to spend your allocation on any reasonable means of enhancing your well-being, as set out in your Support Plan. The Personal Budgets are to be used to pay for care and help in the home. You may choose who you employ as your carer. The Local Authority will keep a list of Approved Providers who have been vetted, and all care providers are registered with the Care Quality Commission, and their latest report and rating may be checked here. Anything my funding cannot be used for? At present, personal budgets are not awarded to persons in residential care, but that is under review and may change in future. Can you clarify what constitutes personal care? You are entitled to financial assistance if you are assessed as requiring personal care. • Washing and dressing • Eating and drinking • Mobilising  • Continence 0207 1016358 info@versacare.co.uk Head Office 2 Church Path Coulsdon Surrey CR5 1HA Branch Office Aldeburgh Suffolk