Under the Fair Deal Scheme you can avail of financial aid to cover the cost of a nursing home. If you qualify for the Scheme, you pay a contribution towards the cost and the HSE pays the rest.
In order to be eligible to apply for the Scheme, you must meet three initial criteria:-
- You must need long-term nursing home care.
- You must ordinarily resident in Ireland.
- You must be seeking care in an approved nursing home.
You make the application through the local Nursing Home Support Office by completing a number of forms.
There are three main steps in the application process:-
- Complete the application form and submit it.
- Once the office receives the completed form, they will arrange for a care assessment to be carried out. The care assessment will involve a review of your current living conditions and how you can be supported at home. This will include a review of your mobility, your level of independence and your mental capacity in terms of memory, attention etc. Following the care assessment, a decision will issue to you in writing, setting out the results of the process.
- Following the care assessment, a financial assessment will be arranged. This involves a review of your financial situation with the intention of determining how much you are in a position to pay towards the cost of the nursing home. The more income you have, the more you will be required to pay. Once the financial assessment has been completed, you will receive a letter confirming how much the HSE will contribute towards the cost of the nursing home.
You also have the option to apply for a nursing home loan. This is a loan which you can take out based on your property or other assets. You are advised to apply for the nursing home loan at the same time as applying for the Fair Deal Scheme but you do not have to take up the loan if you are approved for it.
If you do not qualify for nursing home care you cannot apply again until 6 months have passed, but you are entitled to apply during this period if your circumstances change.
If you need more help in planning for your future care needs, then complete the form below and we will contact you.