Dilnot suggests cap on adult social care contributions

Summary

In support of fair funding for adult social care in England, Chair of the Commission on Funding of Care and Support Andrew Dilnot proposes a cap of £35,000 for individual care costs.

The Dilnot report, 'Fairer Care Funding: the Report of the Commission on Funding of Care and Support', sets out recommendations for a balanced and sustainable funding system for adult social care in England.

Recommendations put forward include:

Individuals' lifetime contributions towards their social care costs - which are currently potentially unlimited - should be capped. After the cap is reached, individuals would be eligible for full state support. This cap should be between £25,000 and £50,000. The Commission considers that £35,000 is the most appropriate and fair figure.
The means-tested threshold, above which people are liable for their full care costs, should be increased from £23,250 to £100,000.
National eligibility criteria and portable assessments should be introduced to ensure greater consistency.
All those who enter adulthood with a care and support need should be eligible for free State support immediately rather than being subjected to a means test.

The Commission estimates that its proposals - based on a cap of £35,000 - would cost the State around £1.7billion.

The independent Commission on Funding of Care and Support was set up by the Government in July 2010.

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