From 1st April 2015, the Charging for Residential Accommodation Guide (CRAG) will cease to exist and rules set under the new Care Act 2014 will be enforced instead. This is likely have an impact on the way will writing clients handle their plans for the future, and will vary from region to region.
The Department of Heath have stated these upcoming changes will make care provision more consistent across the country. The new strategy is said to be designed to give consumers more control over the care they receive and will consider individual needs.
The initial changes will take place this spring, with further additions being introduced in 2016. Aspects that will be affected include:
- national level of care and support
- support provided for carers
- agreements for care costs
Under previous rules, executors have often been forced to sell their homes in order to cover mounting care costs. The Government have claimed people will no longer have to do this, as alternative ways to pay for support will be introduced. This is in addition to further financial support offerings and protection against unlimited care costs, which will be brought in next year.
As of April, deferred payment agreements will be available within all council regions in England. Consumers who are or will soon be residing in a care home, own their own home by themselves, or have alternative investments of less than £23,250, all fall within the eligible category for deferred payment agreements.
Each council will have their own regulations and applicable fees applied to setting up these agreements, so it’s worthwhile assisting your clients and speaking to their local council representative.
For more information on the changes to expect and how they could affect your wills and probate clients, please visit the dedicated page from the Department of Health.
