If you’re not eligible for financial help from the council, or if you choose not to be assessed, you may need to pay for your own care and support. This is known as being a self-funder.
Who is a self-funder?
You are likely to be a self-funder if you:
- have savings, income, capital or assets worth more than £23,250
- haven’t been assessed by the council for care and support, but want to arrange your own services
- choose not to share financial information with the council and prefer to make private arrangements.
If any of these apply, you’ll be responsible for covering the full cost of your care.
Arranging your own care
You can arrange your care directly with private providers, such as home care agencies, personal assistants, or care homes. This gives you full control over your choices, but also means you are responsible for managing contracts, payments and quality of care.
If you’re not sure where to start, the council can still provide advice and information to help you make informed decisions—even if you’re paying for everything yourself.
Own your home and moving into care?
If you’re a self-funder who owns a property and you're assessed as needing care in a residential or nursing home, you might be eligible for the Deferred Payment Scheme.
This allows you to delay paying part of your care home fees until your property is sold or your estate is settled.