Guernsey Press

Your home could be used in care costs calculation

HOMEOWNERS might be forced to use their houses to pay for their long-term care, as States members yesterday backed radical plans under the Supported Living and Ageing Well Strategy.

Published

The controversial idea to include capital assets in any means-testing of benefits associated with the provision of care will be kept under review.

Social security employee contribution rates will be increased by at least 0.5% from the start of next year, raising about £7m.

A single adult with a gross income of £25,000 will pay an extra £125 annually as a result.

The measures are aimed at ensuring reserves are built into the Long-term Care Insurance Fund amid warnings that costs will double to £100m. over the next 20 years unless drastic changes are made.

All the recommendations in the strategy were approved, including to direct the new Committee for Employment and Social Security to review the inclusion of capital assets, which was backed 27-17.

Vale deputy Tony Spruce was very disappointed that the option would still be on the table.

'I think a lot of people will have concerns about the possibility that their property will be used to fund their own care.

'When the Long-term Care Insurance Fund was set up it was specifically to ensure people did not have to sell their property in order to fund their care.'

Former Social Security minister Deputy Mary Lowe also had some serious concerns.

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