Nottinghamshire County Council Care Funding: A Guide to Local Authority Support

Nottinghamshire County Council provides financial support for eligible residents who need care home placements or support at home, but navigating the system can feel overwhelming. This guide explains the process, eligibility criteria, and what to expect when applying for care funding in Nottinghamshire.

Who Qualifies for Nottinghamshire County Council Care Funding?

Not everyone qualifies for council funded care in Nottinghamshire. Eligibility depends on two assessments:

Care needs assessment: Social services assess whether your care needs meet the threshold for local authority support. This looks at what you can and cannot do independently—washing, dressing, eating, managing medication, and staying safe. Nottinghamshire uses national eligibility criteria, focusing on whether you face substantial difficulties with daily activities.

Financial assessment (means test): Even if you qualify based on care needs, Nottinghamshire County Council assesses your finances to determine how much you should contribute. If your capital and savings exceed £23,250, you won’t qualify for local authority funding and must self-fund your care.

The Nottinghamshire Financial Threshold

Nottinghamshire County Council follows national financial thresholds:

• Under £14,250 in capital: You won’t be expected to contribute from your savings towards care costs
• Between £14,250 and £23,250: You’ll contribute from your capital using the tariff income system (£1 per week for every £250 over £14,250)
• Over £23,250: You must self-fund until your capital drops below this threshold

Your income (pensions, benefits, etc.) is also assessed. For care home residents, you’re allowed to keep a Personal Expenses Allowance of £31.15 per week; the rest of your income contributes towards care costs.

Important: Your home is usually included in the financial assessment if you’re moving into a care home permanently, unless your spouse, partner, or certain other relatives still live there.

How to Apply for Care Funding in Nottinghamshire

The process for applying for care funding in Nottinghamshire involves several steps:

Step 1: Contact Nottinghamshire Adult Social Care

Call the Adult Social Care Contact Centre on 0300 500 80 80 (Monday to Thursday, 8:30am-5pm; Friday 8:30am-4:30pm). Alternatively, complete the online self-referral form on the Nottinghamshire County Council website.

Explain that your family member needs care and you’re seeking local authority funding. The contact centre will gather initial information and arrange for an assessment.

Step 2: Care Needs Assessment

A social worker or assessor will arrange to meet with your family member, either at home or in hospital if they’re waiting for discharge. This assessment considers:

• Physical care needs
• Mental health and cognitive function
• Ability to manage daily activities independently
• Any risks to safety or wellbeing
• Current support arrangements

Family members can participate in this assessment. Be honest about care needs, this isn’t the time to downplay difficulties out of pride or concern.

Step 3: Financial Assessment

If the care needs assessment confirms eligibility, Nottinghamshire’s Financial Assessment Team will contact you to complete a financial assessment. You’ll need to provide:

• Bank statements (usually the last 12 weeks)
• Details of all savings, investments, and property
• Pension statements
• Information about any income (including benefits)
• Details of any debts or regular expenses

The council looks for evidence of deprivation of assets – deliberately reducing your capital to qualify for funding. Giving away money or property shortly before applying can result in the council treating it as if you still own it.

Step 4: Care and Support Planning

Once both assessments are complete, Nottinghamshire social services will create a care and support plan. This outlines:

• What care you need
• How those needs will be met
• Your personal budget (how much the council will contribute)
• Your financial contribution
• Choice of care providers

Nottinghamshire offers direct payments (money paid to you to arrange your own care) or commissioned services (where the council arranges care for you).

Choosing a Care Home in Nottinghamshire

You have the right to choose which care home you live in, subject to certain conditions:

The home must:

• Meet your assessed care needs
• Be available and willing to accept Nottinghamshire’s fee rate
• Be a suitable distance from family and friends
• Be affordable within your personal budget

Nottinghamshire County Council publishes its standard fee rates annually. For 2024/25, typical rates are:

• Residential care: Around £700-£800 per week
• Nursing care: Around £850-£950 per week
• Dementia care: Additional £100-£150 per week

(Note: These are indicative rates; actual rates vary and you should check current figures with the council.)

Many care homes charge more than the council’s standard rate. If you choose a home that costs more, you or a family member will need to pay the difference as a “top-up fee” or third-party contribution.

Care Homes in Mansfield and Kirkby-in-Ashfield

Lidder Care operates two care homes in Nottinghamshire that work with the local authority:

Newgate Lodge Care Home, Mansfield: Provides residential and dementia care with 24-hour support in a purpose-built facility.

Lowmoor Nursing Home, Kirkby-in-Ashfield: Offers nursing and dementia care with registered nurses on duty around the clock.

Both homes accept Nottinghamshire County Council funding for eligible residents. Our team can discuss how local authority funding works and whether top-up fees apply, depending on your chosen room and care needs.

Waiting Times for Nottinghamshire Care Funding

Waiting times vary significantly depending on:

• Complexity of your case
• Current demand on social services
• Availability of financial information
• Whether you’re applying from home or hospital

Typical timescales in Nottinghamshire:

• Initial assessment: 1-4 weeks from first contact
• Financial assessment: 2-6 weeks once paperwork is submitted
• Total process: 4-8 weeks in straightforward cases

Hospital discharge cases receive priority and often move faster through the system. Nottinghamshire operates a “Discharge to Assess” (D2A) pathway where someone can move to a care home temporarily whilst assessments are completed, preventing delayed discharges.

If you’re self-funding initially and applying for council support once your capital depletes, the process can take several months. Start the conversation with social services well before you reach the £23,250 threshold.

Home Care Funding in Nottinghamshire

Local authority funding isn’t limited to care homes. Nottinghamshire County Council also funds home care services for eligible residents who want to remain at home.

The same assessment process applies as care needs and financial assessments determine eligibility and contribution. Nottinghamshire commissions home care providers or offers direct payments so you can arrange your own care.

Lidder Home Care provides home care services across Mansfield and surrounding areas, including support for people receiving local authority funding.

What Happens After Funding Is Approved?

Once Nottinghamshire County Council approves your funding:

1. You’ll receive confirmation of your personal budget
2. You can visit care homes that work within this budget
3. The care home will arrange a pre-admission assessment
4. Nottinghamshire’s commissioning team will set up a contract with your chosen home
5. You’ll sign agreements confirming financial contributions
6. You can move in once all arrangements are complete

The council reviews your care needs regularly (usually annually) to ensure funding remains appropriate. Financial circumstances are also reviewed if they change significantly.

Deferred Payment Agreements

If your main asset is your home and you don’t want to sell it immediately, Nottinghamshire County Council offers Deferred Payment Agreements (DPAs). This allows the council to pay your care home fees on your behalf, with the debt secured against your property and repaid when the house is eventually sold.

Not everyone qualifies for a DPA, and there are setup fees and interest charges. Contact Nottinghamshire’s Financial Assessment Team on 0300 500 80 80 to discuss whether this option suits your situation.

Challenging Decisions

If you disagree with Nottinghamshire County Council’s assessment—either about care needs or finances—you can:

1. Ask for a review: Request that the same team reconsiders their decision with additional information
2. Formal complaint: Use Nottinghamshire’s complaints procedure if you believe the process was handled incorrectly
3. Independent advocacy: Request an advocate through Nottinghamshire’s advocacy service if you need support
4. Local Government Ombudsman: As a final step, involve the Ombudsman if the complaint isn’t resolved

Time limits apply for complaints, so act quickly if you’re unhappy with a decision.

Key Contacts for Nottinghamshire Care Funding

Adult Social Care Contact Centre
Telephone: 0300 500 80 80
Email: enquiries.asch@nottscc.gov.uk
Online: www.nottinghamshire.gov.uk/care/adult-social-care

Financial Assessment Team
Contact through the main Adult Social Care number above

Hospital Discharge Team
If your loved one is in hospital, speak to the ward’s discharge coordinator who will liaise with Nottinghamshire social services

Nottinghamshire Carers Hub
For support if you’re caring for someone: 0115 958 3456

Understanding Your Rights

Under the Care Act 2014, you have rights when dealing with social services in Nottinghamshire:

• Right to an assessment if you appear to need care
• Right to choose your care provider (within budget constraints)
• Right to a personal budget showing how much the council will contribute
• Right to information in accessible formats
• Right to have an advocate if you lack capacity to engage with the process

Nottinghamshire County Council publishes detailed information about local authority funding on their website, including guides for families and copies of assessment forms.

Planning Ahead: Self-Funders Becoming Council-Funded

Many families start by self-funding care, then apply for local authority funding once savings fall below £23,250. If this applies to you:

• Notify Nottinghamshire social services when your capital reaches around £30,000 as assessments take time, and you want funding in place before you hit the threshold
• Keep detailed records of all care home payments
• Don’t wait until you’ve completely run out of money
• Understand that the council’s fee rate may be lower than you’ve been paying, potentially requiring a home move or top-up arrangement

Getting Help with the Application Process

Navigating Nottinghamshire County Council’s funding process feels complex, particularly whilst dealing with a family member’s declining health. Consider:

Age UK Nottinghamshire: Offers advice on care funding and can help with applications (0115 844 0011)

Citizens Advice Nottinghamshire: Provides free guidance on means testing and benefits (0808 278 7900)

Independent Financial Advisors: Specialists in later life planning can advise on protecting assets whilst navigating the means test (ensure they’re regulated by the FCA)

Care homes like those operated by Lidder Care understand the local authority funding process and can explain how it works for their particular homes, though we cannot provide financial advice.

Discussing Care Options in Nottinghamshire

If you’re exploring care options in Mansfield, Kirkby-in-Ashfield, or the surrounding Nottinghamshire areas, Lidder Care can help you understand how local authority funding works alongside private funding options.

Visit Newgate Lodge in Mansfield or Lowmoor Nursing Home in Kirkby-in-Ashfield to see our facilities and discuss funding arrangements. Our team works regularly with Nottinghamshire County Council and can explain the practical aspects of moving into care with local authority support.

For home care services in Mansfield funded by the council or privately arranged, Lidder Home Care provides support that helps people remain in their own homes for as long as safely possible.

To discuss care options and funding, call 01623 720 219 or visit liddercare.com to learn more about our services.