State pensioners handed £44,200 a year by NHS for care home bills | Personal Finance | Finance

State pensioners and their families can get a little known benefit from the NHS worth more than £44,000 a year.

There is a scheme offered by the NHS called Continuing Healthcare, which can be used to pay for often eyewatering care home bills.

The cost of care is one of the biggest financial burdens in old age borne by state pensioners or their families. A long term or debilitating condition which requires round-the-clock care can rack up bills so colossal that some people even have to sell their home in old age in order to pay for it.

The average cost of a room in a residential care home is £700 per week, or £36,400 a year.

For a medical needs care home with on site nursing, the cost can rise to £850 a week or a staggering £44,200 a year.

But in some circumstances the NHS may pay for your care entirely.

NHS South West London explains: “If you’re eligible for continuing healthcare, we will arrange a care and support package that meets your needs, which could include support in your own home and the option of a personal health budget. Care and support can be provided in a nursing home if you need 24-hour care.”

The NHS adds: “Some people with long-term complex health needs qualify for free health and social care arranged and funded solely by the NHS. This is known as NHS continuing healthcare.

“Some people with long-term complex health needs qualify for free health and social care arranged and funded solely by the NHS. This is known as NHS continuing healthcare.”

To be eligible for continuing healthcare, your needs will be assessed by a team of healthcare professionals who will look at: what help you need; how complex your needs are how intense your needs can be; how unpredictable they are, including any risks to your health if the right care is not provided at the right time.