If you or someone you care about is thinking about moving into a care home, it’s normal to have questions.
One of the biggest ones is often: how much will it cost, and who pays?
Care home costs
Care homes costs cover things like:
- your room
- meals
- heating and electricity
- Help with daily tasks like washing, dressing, and eating
Some care homes also offer nursing care for people with more serious health needs. If you need this, it will usually cost more.
Who pays for care?
You might:
- pay for the care yourself (this is called self-funding)
- get help from the council
What you pay depends on your financial situation. This includes your income, savings, and any property you own.
- If you have more than £23,250, you’ll usually pay the full cost.
- If you have less than £23,250, the council might help with some or all of the cost.
- If you have less than £14,250, you won’t have to use any savings to pay, but your income might still be taken into account.
We’ll do a financial assessment to work out how much you can afford to pay.
Does the value of my home count?
Sometimes — but not always.
If you move into a care home and no one else lives in your home, the value of your home may be counted.
If your husband, wife, partner, or close relative still lives there, we won’t count the value of the home right away.
You might also be able to delay selling your home. One way is through the Deferred Payment Scheme, where you pay later instead of straight away.
What help can I get?
If you need help with the cost of care, the first step is a care needs assessment. This helps us understand what support you need. If we agree that a care home is the right choice for you, we’ll then do a financial assessment to see what you can afford and what help you might get.
In some cases, the NHS might help pay for your care. This depends on your health needs.
Some people get help through:
- NHS Continuing Healthcare
- NHS-Funded Nursing Care
Even if you need to pay for care yourself, we can still give you advice and help you find a care home that suits you.
What should I do next?
If you're thinking about care home support, get in touch with our Adult Social Care team. We’ll guide you through the steps and help you get any assessments you need.