Care Funding Guide for Reigate Residents

If you're looking at care homes in Reigate, you've probably had the same shock everyone has when they see the costs. Somewhere between £1,000 and £1,500 per week is normal around here, which works out to £52,000 to £78,000 a year. For most families, that's simply not manageable without help.

The good news is that you're not expected to shoulder this alone. There are several routes to getting financial support, though the system isn't straightforward and nobody's queuing up to tell you about them. This guide walks through your main options - what they are, who qualifies, and how to actually apply for them.

Your Main Funding Options

1. Local Authority Funding (Means-Tested)

Surrey County Council may contribute towards your care costs, but only if your savings and assets fall below certain thresholds. This is the route most people explore first, though it comes with conditions that can surprise families who haven't dealt with it before.

Am I eligible?

If you have less than £23,250 in total savings and assets, you may qualify for some level of support. Below £14,250, the council should cover the full cost. Between these figures, you'll be expected to contribute based on what you have. The assessment includes almost everything you own - savings accounts, investments, property (usually), even valuable possessions in some cases.

There are exceptions around your home. If your spouse or partner still lives there, it won't be counted. Same applies if you have a dependent child under 18, or certain other relatives living there who are over 60 or disabled. But if your property is sitting empty, it's going into the calculation.

How to apply:

Ring Surrey County Council's Adult Social Care team on 0300 200 1005 and ask for a care needs assessment. They'll also do a financial assessment - bring everything: bank statements, property valuation, pension details, the lot. The decision usually takes between four and six weeks, sometimes longer if they need more information.

The catch nobody mentions upfront:

Surrey County Council sets a weekly rate they're willing to pay care homes. This is often lower than what homes actually charge. If there's a gap, you either need to find a home that accepts the council rate (limited choice), or you pay a "top-up" fee to cover the difference. Many families don't realise this until they're deep into the process.

Apply here: Surrey County Council Adult Social Care

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2. NHS Continuing Healthcare (Free Care)

This is the one that can make an enormous difference, but most families have never heard of it. If you have substantial ongoing healthcare needs, NHS Continuing Healthcare provides full funding for all your care costs - completely free, regardless of how much money you have in the bank.

The problem is that it's not widely advertised, applications can be complex, and initial refusals are common even for people who should qualify. But if you do get it, it covers everything.

Am I eligible?

You might qualify if you have complex medical needs - things like severe mobility problems, conditions requiring regular nursing intervention, unpredictable health that needs frequent professional attention, or advanced dementia. The assessment looks at twelve different areas including breathing, nutrition, skin condition, behaviour, and psychological needs.

It's not just about having a diagnosis. Someone with severe dementia and challenging behaviour is more likely to qualify than someone with mild dementia who's otherwise physically well. Someone needing regular catheter care, wound management, or oxygen therapy has a better chance than someone who's just frail.

How to apply:

Ask your GP, hospital discharge team, or the care home to arrange an initial Checklist assessment. If you pass this screening, you'll move to a full assessment where NHS clinicians review your needs in detail. The official target is 28 days for a decision, though it often takes longer.

Here's what many people don't know: if you're refused and you disagree, you can appeal. Success rates for appeals are relatively high, especially when families provide detailed evidence about care needs. Don't just accept a refusal if you think it's wrong.

Apply here: NHS Continuing Healthcare

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3. Self-Funding (Private Payment)

If you have savings and assets over £23,250, you'll need to pay for your own care initially.

What this means:

• You pay the full weekly fee directly to the care home
• You have more choice over which care home you choose
• Your capital gradually reduces until you reach the £23,250 threshold
• Once you reach this threshold, you can apply for local authority support

Planning tip: Get financial advice early. A financial adviser specialising in care fees can help you understand options like deferred payment agreements or equity release.

Find a specialist adviser: Society of Later Life Advisers

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4. Deferred Payment Agreement

If you own property but don't have cash savings, Surrey County Council can loan you the money for care fees. You repay this when your home is sold.

Am I eligible?

• Your home is being included in the financial assessment
• You have less than £23,250 in savings (excluding your property)
• Your home isn't occupied by certain relatives

How it works:

• The council pays your care fees to the care home
• Interest accrues on the loan (currently 1.65% above base rate)
• You repay everything when your property is sold
• You can rent out your property to help fund ongoing costs

Important: This is a loan, not a grant. You will need to repay it with interest.

Other Funding Sources to Consider

Attendance Allowance

If you're over 65 and need help with personal care, you can claim £72.65 or £108.55 per week (2024/25 rates). This is paid regardless of savings.

Apply here: Attendance Allowance

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Pension Credit

Top-up for those on low incomes. Can help with care costs and unlocks other benefits.

Check eligibility: Pension Credit

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Veterans Support

If you or your spouse served in the armed forces, you may qualify for additional support through Veterans UK.

More information: Veterans UK

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Charity Support

Some local and national charities provide grants for care costs. Worth investigating based on your career, circumstances, or health conditions.

Find charities: Turn2us Grants Search

Your Property: What Happens?

This is often the biggest concern. Here's what you need to know:

Your home IS included in the assessment if:

• It's empty
• Only your spouse/partner under 60 lives there
• Only distant relatives live there

Your home is NOT included if:

• Your spouse/partner over 60 still lives there
• A dependent child under 18 lives there
• A relative over 60 who lived with you before you moved lives there
• A disabled relative lives there

12-week property disregard: When you first move into care, Surrey County Council won't include your property value for 12 weeks, giving you time to arrange finances.

Timeline: How Long Does Funding Take?

• Local authority funding: 4-8 weeks from application to decision 
• NHS Continuing Healthcare: 28 days (minimum) from full assessment 
• Deferred payment agreement: 6-8 weeks to set up 
• Attendance Allowance: 8-12 weeks from application
• Plan ahead: Start funding applications before or immediately after moving into care. Many families self-fund initially while waiting for assessments.

Common Questions

Can I choose my own care home? Yes, but if you're receiving local authority funding, they'll only pay up to their set rate. If your chosen home costs more, you or a family member will need to pay a "top-up" fee for the difference.

What if I disagree with a funding decision? You can appeal any decision. Local authority decisions can be challenged through their complaints process. NHS Continuing Healthcare decisions have a formal appeals process with good success rates.

Will I have to sell my home immediately? No. You can apply for a deferred payment agreement, rent it out, or arrange for family members to buy you out gradually.

Getting Help with Funding at Ridgegate Home

Trying to work out care funding while also dealing with everything else that comes with moving into residential care is exhausting. At Ridgegate Home, we've been helping families navigate this for nearly 80 years, and we know how confusing the system can be.

We can't complete applications for you or guarantee funding outcomes, but we can guide you through what to expect from Surrey County Council assessments, explain what evidence strengthens an NHS Continuing Healthcare application, and help you understand which options are worth pursuing based on your circumstances. Our fees range from £1,000 to £1,500 per week depending on the level of care needed.

If you're trying to work out how to afford care in Reigate, come and talk to us. We'll be straight with you about costs, realistic about funding timelines, and we'll help you understand what you're entitled to. Whether you're arranging care for yourself or for a parent, it helps to have someone who's seen hundreds of these situations before.