Claiming NHS Continuing Healthcare Funding – How Does it Work?
Claiming NHS Continuing Healthcare Funding is not always a straightforward process. And yet it can be a lifeline for so many who are worrying about the cost of care homes. Whether it’s for you or a loved one, we can offer advice and support while you go through the process of claiming NHS Continuing Healthcare Funding.
To discuss claiming NHS Continuing Healthcare Funding call 0113 320 5000
Continuing Healthcare began to take hold in the late 1980s. It followed concerns that patients with complex care needs who were receiving care separate from their hospital had to pay for their own care, medicine and accommodation. While patients in hospital weren’t required to pay.
Now, 40 years on, the number of people with long-term care needs is rising. Support is available from social services with funding on a means-tested basis. Funding is also available from the NHS for people with health needs. The NHS must follow the law and guidance to ensure that any adult receiving care for complex needs outside of hospital is given an assessment of their eligibility. This is known as Continuing Healthcare Funding.
Claiming NHS Continuing Healthcare Funding Can be a Lifeline (CHC)?
When a loved one requires long-term care due to serious health conditions, the financial strain can be overwhelming. Many families assume that selling a home or exhausting savings is the only option to cover care costs. But what if we told you that the NHS might be responsible for footing the bill?
We specialise in claiming NHS Continuing Healthcare funding for our clients, ensuring that those who qualify actually receive the financial support they’re entitled to. Whether you’re applying for CHC for the first time, or seeking to recover past care fees, our experts are here to guide you through the process.
NHS Continuing Healthcare is a fully funded package of care provided by the NHS for individuals with significant, ongoing health needs. Unlike local social care, CHC is not means-tested, meaning it doesn’t matter how much money or how many assets you have. Claiming NHS Continuing Healthcare can be a vital lifeline, and eligibility is based entirely on health needs.
If a person qualifies, the NHS will cover all associated care costs, whether care is provided at home, in a residential facility, or in a nursing home. This can save families thousands (sometimes hundreds of thousands) of pounds in care fees.
Why CHC Is More Than Just Financial Relief
While the financial aspect of claiming NHS Continuing Healthcare funding is significant, it’s about more than just money. It’s about ensuring the right care is provided. The NHS has a legal responsibility to fund care for those who meet the eligibility criteria, ensuring that patients receive the support they need without financial barriers.
Yet, despite its importance, CHC is often misunderstood, and claiming NHS Continuing Healthcare funding can be notoriously difficult. Assessments are complex, and families are often left to navigate a bureaucratic maze with little guidance.
Who Qualifies for Claiming NHS Continuing Healthcare Funding?
Eligibility for CHC is determined through an assessment process that considers the nature, complexity, intensity, and unpredictability of a person’s health needs. A formal Decision Support Tool (DST) is used to evaluate these factors across key issues such as:
- Mobility and physical needs
- Cognition and mental health
- Medication and symptom management
- Breathing and nutrition
- Behavioural challenges
The assessment process can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re already dealing with the emotional weight of a loved one’s illness. Having expert legal representation ensures that your loved one’s needs are properly evidenced, increasing the chances of securing funding.
Where Do Solicitors Come In?
Many families assume that claiming NHS Continuing Healthcare funding is straightforward, only to find themselves caught in a web of unclear decisions, appeals, and funding denials. That’s where expert legal assistance can make all the difference.
Our CHC expert, James Urquhart-Burton, specialises in helping families understand the eligibility criteria. He can also offer sound advice on gathering the necessary medical and care evidence to support a claim. James can also help with advocating during assessments and appeals, ensuring that the NHS follows legal guidelines and properly evaluates care needs. As well as recovering wrongly paid care home fees through retrospective claims, which can sometimes amount to significant sums of money.
Retrospective Claims - Could You Reclaim Care Home Fees?
One of the most overlooked aspects of CHC is retrospective funding claims. Many families don’t realise that if a loved one should have qualified for CHC in the past, they may be able to reclaim the costs already paid.
If you’ve already paid care home fees but believe your loved one was eligible for CHC at the time, our team can review medical records and case history to determine whether a claim can be made. In some cases, families have recovered substantial amounts in wrongly paid fees.
Use Our CHC Funding Calculator
We understand that the CHC process is complex, and it’s hard to know where to start. That’s why we’ve created two free CHC funding calculators.
Current & Future CHC Calculator
Our Current & Future NHS Funding Calculator helps you to assess potential eligibility for CHC funding based on current care needs.
The Retrospective calculator estimates how much care home fees could be reclaimed for past periods where CHC eligibility may have been overlooked.
Both tools provide a quick and easy first step, but nothing replaces expert legal advice.
Why Choose Winston Solicitors?
At Winston Solicitors, we’ve helped families across the UK secure the funding they deserve. We know how stressful this process can be, which is why we offer expert guidance every step of the way.
In certain cases, we may even act on a no win, no fee basis, meaning there’s no financial risk to you.
If you’re concerned about care home fees, whether now or in the past, get in touch with us today for a free initial consultation. You don’t have to navigate this alone. Let us help you in claiming NHS Continuing Healthcare funding for you or your loved one.
You can reach us on 0113 320 5000, or email @email to discuss how we can support you.
