Assembly member Joyce Watson has welcomed an increase in the amount of money people in residential care in Wales can keep.
At the last Assembly election (2016) Welsh Labour pledged to increase the capital limit from £24,000 to £50,000. From April 2019 the amount will increase from £40,000 to £50,000, fulfilling the manifesto commitment.
Mrs Watson said:
“I am proud that we will have delivered on our promise. People understandably worry about the costs of care – the thought of using up life savings or selling their home to pay for it.
“That’s why Welsh Labour pledged to more than double the capital people can keep when in residential care, helping residents and their families keep more of their money.”
The Welsh Government has funded the scheme by increasing its contribution to the Revenue Support Grant, which now stands at £11.5 million per year. The additional funding helps local authorities with the cost of providing care, offsetting the personal contributions’ shortfall.
Since the first extra funding came into effect more than 18 months ago, around 1,500 care home residents have benefited.
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