Hereford Care Funding Guide | Ashberry Care Homes

Care home fees in Hereford typically cost £900-£1,800 per week. This guide explains exactly how to pay for care, what financial help is available, and how to navigate the funding system in Herefordshire.

Current Care Costs in Hereford

Average Weekly Fees (2026)

Residential care: £900-£1,300
Nursing care: £1,100-£1,600
Dementia care: £1,000-£1,800
Respite care: £850-£1,400

Ashberry Healthcare's Hereford homes offer competitive pricing:

The Weir Nursing Home: From £1,153 per week
Holmer Court Care Home: From £1,048 per week
Broomy Hill Nursing Home: From £1,288 per week

Will You Pay or Will the Council Pay?

The £23,250 Rule

Your savings and assets (including your home in some cases) determine who pays:

Over £23,250 in assets: You pay the full cost yourself (self-funding)

Between £14,250 and £23,250: You pay a contribution, the council pays the rest

Under £14,250: The council pays, but you contribute most of your income except a Personal Expenses Allowance of £28.25 per week

Getting a Financial Assessment

Contact Herefordshire Council Adult Social Care:

Phone: 01432 260101
Online: Visit the Herefordshire Council website
In person: Herefordshire Council, Plough Lane, Hereford, HR4 0LE

They'll arrange a financial assessment to determine what help you qualify for.

Your Home and Care Fees

When Your Home Counts as an Asset

Your home IS included in the financial assessment if:

You're moving into care permanently
No one else lives there
It's not occupied by your spouse, partner, or certain relatives

Your home is NOT included if:

Your stay is temporary (under 12 weeks)
Your spouse or partner still lives there
A relative over 60 lives there
A younger relative who is disabled lives there
You're receiving NHS Continuing Healthcare

Deferred Payment Agreements

Can't pay without selling your home? Herefordshire Council offers Deferred Payment Agreements:

The council pays your care fees
You repay when your home is sold (usually after death)
Interest is charged on the amount owed
Your home must be worth enough to cover the debt

To apply, contact Herefordshire Council's Financial Assessment Team on 01432 260101.

NHS Continuing Healthcare (CHC)

What It Is

Full funding from the NHS for all care costs - not means-tested. If you qualify, the NHS pays everything regardless of your savings.

Who Qualifies

You must have a 'primary health need' - complex, intense or unpredictable healthcare needs. Common qualifying conditions include:

Advanced Parkinson's disease
Severe dementia with challenging behaviours
Complex nursing needs requiring 24/7 care
Terminal illness requiring specialist care

How to Apply

Request a CHC Checklist from your GP or hospital discharge team
If you score highly enough, you'll get a full assessment
A multidisciplinary team assesses your needs across 12 areas
Decision usually takes 28 days

For help with applications in Herefordshire, contact:

Herefordshire and Worcestershire CCG: 01905 681999

NHS Funded Nursing Care

If you don't qualify for full CHC but need nursing care, the NHS contributes £219.71 per week (2025 rate) towards nursing costs. This is paid directly to the care home.

Your care home arranges this - at Ashberry's nursing homes in Hereford, we handle the application for you.

Benefits You Can Claim

Attendance Allowance

For: Over 65s needing help with personal care
Amount: £72.65 or £108.55 per week
Apply: Call 0800 731 0122 or download forms from GOV.UK

Personal Independence Payment (PIP)

For: Under 65s with care needs
Amount: £72.65 to £184.30 per week
Apply: Call 0800 917 2222

Pension Credit

For: Over State Pension age on low income
Amount: Tops up income to £218.15 per week (single) or £332.95 (couple)
Apply: Call 0800 99 1234

Council Tax Reduction

Empty homes get 50% discount after 6 months
Some councils offer more - check with Herefordshire Council: 01432 260000

Paying Privately (Self-Funding)

Your Options

Income and savings: Use pensions, investments and savings
Sell your home: Either before or after moving into care
Rent out your home: Generate income to cover fees
Equity release: Access home value without selling
Immediate needs annuity: Insurance product that pays care fees for life
Third-party top-ups: Family members contribute

Getting Financial Advice

Consider speaking to:

Society of Later Life Advisers (SOLLA): Find specialist advisers
Age UK Herefordshire & Worcestershire: 0800 008 6077
Independent financial advisers specialising in care fees

Top-Up Fees

When Top-Ups Apply

If the council funds your care but you want a more expensive home than they'll pay for, someone must pay the difference. This could be:

Family members
A charity
Your own money (only from certain sources while council-funded)

Important Rules

Top-ups must be sustainable for the entire stay
They must be paid directly to the council, not the home
Get the agreement in writing
The council must offer you a suitable home within their funding rate

Checklist: Getting Your Funding Sorted

Week 1-2:

[ ] Contact Herefordshire Council for needs assessment: 01432 260101
[ ] Request financial assessment
[ ] Ask GP about NHS Continuing Healthcare if you have complex health needs
[ ] Check if you qualify for Attendance Allowance: 0800 731 0122

Week 3-4:

[ ] Gather financial documents (bank statements, property deeds, pension details)
[ ] Complete financial assessment with council
[ ] Apply for relevant benefits
[ ] Get care home fee quotes

Week 5-6:

[ ] If self-funding, consider financial advice from SOLLA adviser
[ ] If using council funding, confirm their contribution amount
[ ] Arrange top-up agreements if needed
[ ] Confirm funding with chosen care home

Getting Help in Herefordshire

Free Local Support

Herefordshire Council Adult Social Care

Phone: 01432 260101
Address: Plough Lane, Hereford, HR4 0LE
Website

Age UK Herefordshire & Worcestershire

Phone: 0800 008 6077
Free benefits checks and advice

Herefordshire Carers Support

Phone: 01432 663057
Help for family carers navigating the system

Citizens Advice Herefordshire

Phone: 0808 278 7891
Free, confidential advice on benefits and funding

Common Funding Questions

Can I give away assets to avoid care fees?

No. This is called 'deliberate deprivation of assets'. The council can still assess you as if you owned them.

What if I run out of money?

The council must take over funding once your assets drop to £23,250. You won't be evicted.

Can I choose any care home with council funding?

The council must offer suitable options within their price range. You can choose a more expensive home if someone pays the top-up.

How quickly can funding be arranged?

Emergency admissions: temporary funding within days
Planned moves: 4-6 weeks for full assessment
NHS CHC: up to 28 days for decision

Will I lose my benefits when I move into care?

Attendance Allowance: continues for 28 days then stops
Pension: continues but you contribute to fees
Pension Credit: may be affected - inform them of your move

Ready to Discuss Your Options?

Our Hereford care homes can help you understand funding for your specific situation. Contact our teams:

The Weir Nursing Home: 01981 590229
Holmer Court Care Home: 01432 351335
Broomy Hill Nursing Home: 01432 274474

We'll explain:

Exact costs for the care you need
What's included in our fees
Payment options available
How we can support funding applications

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