Independent Advice

Paying for care can be expensive and an open ended commitment. If you are paying the full cost of care yourself, you should seek independent financial advice. Look for a financial advisor with specialist qualifications on advising on funding of long term care. They will explain the costs and risks, and should be able to help with other things such as setting up a Lasting Power of Attorney.

It is never too early to consider seeking independent or regulated financial advice about paying for care and support. Everyone should have a plan about how they will pay for their care and support now and in the future, should the need arise.

There are many sources of independent financial advice, from charities and voluntary sector organisations (such as Citizens Advice and Age UK) to trained individuals such as Independent Financial Advisors. The council provides social care information and advice but is unable to recommend Individual Financial Advisors; however the Financial Conduct Authority has details of advisors that are independent and regulated. A solicitor may be able to offer independent advice, and might have qualified financial advisors working in their practices.

If you are getting advice about investing your money, you need to know  that there are two different types of financial advisors, “independent” and “restricted” – and this can affect the advice you are given.

Some advisors offer the full range of financial products and providers available. They are called “independent advisors”. Many advisors offer “restricted advice” and will focus on a limited selection of products and/or providers.

All financial advisors have to be approved or authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority. Both independent and restricted advisors must pass the same qualifications and meet the same requirements to ensure they are providing suitable advice.

An advisor or firm has to tell you in writing whether they offer independent or restricted advice but if you are not sure which they offer you should ask for more information.

City of York Council

Income Services Team: incomeservices@york.gov.uk

Funding Applications, Financial Assessments, Disability Benefit Applications: 01904 552044

Personal Budgets, Direct Payments & Charging : 01904 554684

Deferred Payments, Invoicing & Payment Plans: 01904 555115

Age UK 

Age UK provide independent information and advice and a range of factsheets online. 

Telephone: 0800 169 6565

Alzheimer’s Society

The Alzheimers Society provide information and advice fort hose with and caring for people with dementia.

Telephone: 0300 222 1122 or 01904 567701

Care Aware

Care Aware provide independent financial advice.  

Telephone: 0161 707 1107

Citizens Advice Bureau

The Citizens Advice Bureau provided free independent advice.

Telephone: 0844 411 1444 or 1904 623648

Financial Conduct Authority (FCA)

The Financial Conduct Authority provides details of all independent and regulated financial advisers and their areas of expertise. 

Telephone: 0800 111 6768

Gov UK

The Care Act 2014

Macmillan 

Macmillan provide cancer care services.

Telephone: 0808 808 000

Mencap

Mencap gives information, advice and support for those with learning disabilities, their families and carers.

Telephone: 0808 808 1111

Money Saving Expert

Money Saving Expert provides online impartial advice regarding budgeting, saving and planning for the future.

Office of Public Guardian

The Office of Public Guardian has information about applying for lasting power of attorney and deputyship.

Telephone: 0300 456 0300

Pensions Advisory Service

The Pensions Advisory Service gives free and impartial advice to people with workplace and personal pensions.

Telephone: 0300 123 1047

Society of Later Life Advisors (SOLLA)

SOLLA advise about financial issues in later life.

Telephone: 0333 2020 454

StepChange

Step Change give expert debt advice and fee free debt management.

Telephone: 0800 138 1111

Symponia

Symponia dvise about financial issues later in life. 

Telephone: 01789 774595

The Care Advice Line 

The Care Advice Line helps people to make informed decisions about their care and how to pay for it.

Telephone: 0161 413 7860

Getting Informed

Getting Informed provides information about starting to look for care and who to talk to about meeting the costs.