The capital limits, specified in regulations issued under the Care Act 2014, set the levels of capital that a person can have whilst qualifying for financial support from their local authority. A person with assets above the upper capital limit is responsible for the full cost of their care in a care home. A person with assets between the capital limits will pay what they can afford from their income, plus a means-tested contribution from their assets. The UK government announced in September 2021, that it intends to introduce a cap on care costs, which will apply to all adults in receipt of adult social care in England, no matter their age. In November 2021, it published additi

Unlike NHS services, social care is not free at the point of access. People developing care and support needs can be exposed to potentially very high and unpredictable care costs over their lifetime. The capital limits, specified in regulations issued under the Care Act 2014, set the levels of capital that a person can have whilst qualifying for financial support from their local authority. A person with assets above the upper capital limit is responsible for the full cost of their care in a care home. A person with assets between the capital limits will pay what they can afford from their income, plus a means-tested contribution from their assets. The UK government announced in September 2021, that it intends to introduce a cap on care costs, which will apply to all adults in receipt of adult social care in England, no matter their age. In November 2021, it published additional information on how the capped costs system would work. The funding reforms will have considerable resource implications for the public sector. It is likely that many more people will be coming into contact with their local authority - for instance, people will want to be assessed to start progressing towards the cap and more people will qualify for help as a result of the extension to means-tested support. The government has also confirmed that it will ensure that self-funders are able to ask their local authority to arrange their care for them. This change could have a significant impact on care providers, many of whom charge self-funders at higher rates to subsidise state-funded residents. Surrey County Council would like to develop a "Considering Care" awareness campaign to support residents to think about their care needs and plan for their future. This will help prepare for self-funders reaching capital limits now and under the reforms and responds to feedback from residents that planning for the future was difficult and worrisome. Through the campaign, Surrey County Council would like to: • Promote informed decision making • Prevent avoidably early access to formalised care • Promote independence and low-level support options • Shape community and voluntary sector responses • Reduce financial burden of capital depleters • Link to better Health information, advice, and guidance • Promote integrated responses with district and borough council colleagues - Housing and adaptations services. This research will gather insight and intelligence to prepare for the social care reforms, develop an effective communications campaign amongst Surrey residents, and enhance the system to better enable residents to plan for future health and care needs.