Applications now open for new ‘Fair Deal’ Nursing Home Support Scheme – Hoctor

North Tipperary T.D., and former Minister for Older People, Máire Hoctor, has welcomed the opening of applications for the new Nursing Homes Support Scheme, A Fair Deal. The scheme came into operation on Tuesday October 27th 2009, and aims to make long-term nursing home care more accessible and affordable.

“From 27th October people may apply to the HSE under the Scheme seeking financial support for the cost of their long-term care” explained Deputy Hoctor. “The scheme involves applicants having a care-needs and financial assessment. It will operate the same way in all types of nursing homes, whether in public/voluntary or approved private nursing homes, and replaces the current Nursing Home Subvention Scheme”.

“I am very happy to see the plans for the Scheme, on which I worked closely with Minister Mary Harney during my time as Minister for Older People, come to refutation” said Deputy Hoctor “the new Nursing Home Scheme will provide for care and peace of mind for many people into the future”.

About 5% of all people over 65 will need long term care in a nursing home; the average stay in a nursing home is about 3 years. Under this new voluntary scheme, instead for paying for nursing homes directly, people will be able to contribute towards their long-term nursing home care according to their means.

“The Scheme is based on cost-sharing between the person receiving care and the State, with the State paying the shortfall between what someone may afford to pay and the actual cost of the nursing home care” said Deputy Hoctor.

Once a person has been assessed as needing long-term care through the care assessment, the financial assessment will work out how much a person can contribute to the cost of their care by taking account of their income and assets.

The assessment will establish a person’s ability to contribute to their care costs based on 80% of their disposable income and 5% of the value of their assets per annum. The applicant’s home will only be included in the financial assessment for the first 3 years of his/her time in care.

Contributions based on the value of a home will not exceed 15% of its value and will only be calculated at 7½% if one person in a couple needs care. Payment will be deferred until the settlement of the applicant’s estate and everybody’s medical need and financial situation will be assessed the same way by the HSE. This means that the HSE will pay the money to the nursing home on the applicant’s behalf (i.e. loan the money) and it will be collected after the applicant’s death.

The HSE is expecting significant volumes of applications in the initial weeks of the new Scheme and applicants are being advised that it may take up to 4-6 weeks in respect of general applications for the Scheme.

“People currently in care will not require a care needs assessment and will not be disadvantaged financially under the new scheme” said Deputy Hoctor. “For people going into care, their families and loved ones may now be sure that they won’t have to sell or mortgage their home during their lifetime simply cover the cost of nursing home care” she concluded.

Information on the Nursing Homes Support Scheme is available on the Department of Health & Children’s Fair Deal webpage (http://www.dohc.ie/issues/fair_deal/) , or can be obtained by calling the HSE Infoline 1850 24 1850. Applications forms are available from the HSE website (http://www.hse.ie/eng/News_and_Media/NHSS.html )

HSE Nursing Homes Support Offices are also available to help you fill in the form or answer questions about your application. When you have completed this form, send it to the Nursing Homes Support Office for your area:

North Tipperary, Limerick and Clare, HSE Nursing Homes Support Office, St. Joseph's Hospital, Mulgrave Street, Limerick.

Tel: 061 461499

Tipperary South HSE Nursing Homes Support Office, Community Care Centre, Western Road, Clonmel.

Tel: 052 6177283

Laois/Offaly HSE Nursing Homes Support Office, Health Centre, Arden Road, Tullamore, Co. Offaly.

Tel: 057 9359625