Fair Deal is the common name for the Nursing Home Support Scheme. It is the State scheme that helps people pay for long-term nursing home care in approved nursing homes. Rivervale is approved under the scheme.
Under Fair Deal, the HSE assesses the resident’s care needs and finances. The resident pays an assessed contribution towards care, and the State pays the balance of the approved nursing home cost.
How the contribution is assessed
The financial assessment looks at income and assets.
For a single applicant, the contribution is generally based on:
- 80% of assessable income
- 7.5% of cash assets each year
- 7.5% of non-cash assets, such as land or property, each year
For a couple, the equivalent rates are generally 40% of assessable income and 3.75% of assets.
The first portion of assets is disregarded in the assessment. The HSE guidance gives the current thresholds and detailed rules.
Three-year cap on the home
A principal private residence is only included in the financial assessment for the first 3 years of care. This is commonly called the three-year cap.
For a single applicant, this means the contribution based on the value of the home is capped at 22.5% in total. For a couple, it is capped at 11.25% in total.
The cap can also apply to certain farms or businesses where the HSE criteria are met.
Applying for Fair Deal
Applications are made to the HSE. The process includes:
- a care needs assessment to confirm that long-term nursing home care is appropriate
- a financial assessment to calculate the resident’s contribution
- approval of funding and placement in an approved nursing home
A person can apply before moving into a nursing home or after admission. The HSE is responsible for the scheme and for confirming approval.
What Fair Deal covers
Fair Deal covers the approved long-term nursing home placement. Rivervale’s Contract of Care describes the covered care as bed and board, nursing and personal care appropriate to the resident’s assessed needs, bedding, machine-washable laundry, and basic aids and appliances needed for daily living.
Some services and items are outside the Fair Deal weekly fee. Please see Fees & Funding for the weekly service charge and possible additional costs.
Nursing home loan
Where a person owns a home or other qualifying asset, they may be able to defer part of the asset-based contribution through the nursing home loan, also called Ancillary State Support. The deferred amount is repaid later, usually from the estate.
HSE guidance
The HSE has the full scheme guidance, forms, and current assessment rules at hse.ie.