When your property may be disregarded.

There are certain circumstances when your property may be disregarded following your financial assessment. Property may be disregarded in the following circumstances:

• If your stay in residential or nursing care is temporary, you intend to return to your property, and the property is still available to you.
• If your spouse still resides there.
• If a relative over the age of 60 lives there.
• If a child under the age of 16 still lives there.
• If a disabled (incapacitated) relative lives there.
• If your home is now the sole residence of your carer and they gave up their home to live and care for you. However if the carer moves out your property it may no longer be disregarded.

Where your admission to a care or nursing home is regarded as permanent, your former dwelling may be disregarded for a period of 12 weeks if your home is your only asset other than savings of up to £23,000 in England and Northern Ireland, £22,000 in Wales and £22,500 in Scotland.

Jointly Owned Property

If your property is jointly owned by another person, which will not allow the property to be disregarded as previously mentioned, your Local Authority will take the value of your share of the property into account when assessing your assets.

When considering care there are many financial and legal implications, which, for your own protection you should obtain specialist advice on. These include which state benefits you are entitled to and how best to utilise the protection afforded by Wills.

Click here for more information about Property and Care.