Paying for care at home

Paying for care at home

Council-funded

Ask your council for a free care needs assessment. If you qualify, a financial assessment decides how much you pay; the value of your home is not counted for care in your own home.

Personal budget or direct payments

If the council agrees to fund your care, you can ask for the money as a direct payment and choose the agency yourself.

Self-funded

You can arrange and pay an agency directly at any time, with no assessment. Ask for hourly rates, minimum visit lengths and weekend rates.

NHS continuing healthcare

If your main need is a health need, the NHS can fund care at home after an assessment.

The CQC register does not record which types of funding each provider accepts, so always ask the provider – and get the answer in writing before you commit.

Paying for care at home

A needs assessment is free

It works out what care you need, and anyone can ask their council for one.

£23,250 is the line

In England you usually pay for your own care if your savings are above £23,250. If they fall below that, your council might be able to help.

Your home is safe

You will not have to sell your home to pay for help in your own home.

NHS continuing healthcare is free and not means-tested

Some people with long-term complex health needs qualify for care arranged and funded solely by the NHS, in their own home or in a care home. It starts with a checklist, then a full assessment.