Help with care home fees

If you need to make a permanent move to a residential or nursing home, you may be eligible to receive support and funding from the council.

Rules for qualifying for financial help

If the value of your savings and capital is over £23,250 you must pay the full cost of your care home fees – see information for self-funders (things to consider when choosing a care home).

If the value of your savings and capital is under £23,250 you may be eligible for financial help towards your care home fees. How much help depends on a financial assessment of your income and savings, and makes an allowance for personal expenses.

If you have savings and capital between £14,250 and £23,250, the amount you pay is based on your weekly income plus a tariff of £1 per week for each £250 of savings over £14,250 minus a weekly personal expenses allowance.

If you have savings and capital below £14,250 the amount you pay is based on your weekly income minus a weekly personal expenses allowance.

We may also count savings and capital assets you no longer own if you have given them away to reduce your capital.

You can find more information on qualifying for financial help, choosing a care home, representing someone who lacks mental capacity and claiming benefits in our meeting your care home costs guide.

What if my savings reduce to near the upper limit for assistance?

You may become eligible for financial support from the local council when your capital reduces to £23,250.

You can contact Adult Social Care services between 3 and 6 months before your savings and capital approaches the £23,250 limit to request assessments – see what happens when my capital drops to the upper capital limit and meeting your care home costs guide.