Paying for care and support

Learn about paying for care and support, including who may not have to pay, how contributions are calculated and where to get help and guidance.

Who does not have to pay

Most people pay something towards the cost of their care and support.

You do not have to pay if:

you are receiving care under Section 117 of the Mental Health Act 1988
you have Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, a rare brain condition
the NHS funds all your care needs

How your care contribution is worked out

If you are eligible for care following a care and support assessment, we will carry out a financial assessment. This is used to work out how much you need to pay and whether the council will contribute towards your care.

The assessment looks at:

money from pensions, benefits or other sources
savings and investments
property you own (your main home usually does not count if you live there)
essential household bills and extra costs related to a disability

The more income or assets you have, the more you may contribute.

You can:

fill in the assessment form yourself
get help from a friend or family member
ask us to complete it with you

You will need to provide evidence of your income, savings and property.

If you choose not to give us your financial information, you will pay the full cost of your care.

This 2-minute video explains financial assessments for care (Looking Local) [YouTube]

Your contribution to care costs

After the assessment, we will confirm how much you need to pay:

If your savings or investments are over £23,250, you usually pay the full cost of care (self-funder).
If your savings or investments are below £23,250, you may still need to pay something, depending on your income.

You can ask us to explain how we worked out your contribution. The assessment may also show if you are entitled to extra benefits.

Tell us if your money, savings, property, benefits or housing changes, as this may affect how much you need to pay.

Before the assessment, you can estimate your likely care contribution using our Care Contribution Calculator.

Self-funders: paying your own care costs

Some people pay the full cost themselves. They are called self-funders.

You are classed as a self-funder if:

your needs have been assessed but you are not eligible for council support
you are eligible but have savings or assets above £23,250
you choose not to have a financial assessment

For practical advice on finances and benefits, read A self-funder's guide to care and support.

It also explains how to stay independent, arrange care and what to do if your circumstances change.

Independent financial advice and support

Paying for care can be complex. We recommend you get independent financial advice before making decisions.

Read more about getting independent financial advice.

More guidance on paying for care

Paying for care factsheets

Read our factsheets for detailed guidance:

Paying for support - how home support charges are calculated and who may qualify
Deprivation of assets - how giving away money or property may affect care costs