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Who pays for your care
Unlike healthcare, social care isn’t always free. Most people will pay for some or all of their social care.
If you’ve been assessed as needing social care and support, and you need services that have to be paid for, you will be asked to complete a financial assessment. The assessment is free and our team will arrange it for you.
The financial assessment (or means test) will look at:
- income from employment and state or private pensions
- any savings and investments
- what benefits you get
- any property that you own or part own and who lives with you - where applicable
- the amount you spend on essential household bills
- any disability related expenses
- money or assets you have given away.
Our team will use this information to work out how much, if anything, you need to pay towards your care needs. The amount you pay is called your financial contribution.
All calculations are carried out in accordance with the Care Act 2014 legislation and statutory guidance and Brent Adult Social Care Charging Policy (TBP).
We will then look at what kind of care and support you need and how much it will cost. This helps us create your personal budget.
Once we know both your personal budget and your maximum ability to pay, we compare them:
- If the maximum amount you can afford to pay is more than your personal budget, you will pay for all your care.
- If it is less, you will pay what you can, and we will top up the rest.
- If it is £0, we will pay for all of your care.
Estimate what you might pay for care
You can use our online calculator to get an idea of how much you might have to pay. It’s quick, easy to use, and we won’t save any of your information.
Use our cost of care calculator to find out much you might need to pay
If you have income, savings or assets above £23,250 you will need to pay the full cost of your care.
Choosing how to receive your personal budget
If the council agrees to contribute to the cost of your care, you can ask us to, either:
- manage your personal budget and pay providers for any care services you need
- pay the money directly to you or someone you choose – this is known as a direct payment.
Find out more about personal budgets and direct payments.
Factors that can affect how much you pay
Non-residential care
If your plan includes, non-residential care, your contribution will be based on government regulations. In some cases, you will not have to pay anything towards your care.
Residential or nursing home
If your plan includes residential or nursing care, you will always have to make a contribution towards the cost of your care fees, however there are some exceptions.
Your contribution with be in line with the Care Act regulations set out by the Department of Health. Your contribution will be based on your income from state pension, benefits or other income, plus any capital or savings you have over £14,250.
You are entitled to retain an amount towards any personal items you need, such as toiletries and newspapers. This amount is currently £30.65 per week.
If you choose a care home that is more expensive than the maximum weekly council contribution, you will have to make arrangements for someone else to pay the difference. This is called a third party top up. You cannot pay this amount from your own income or capital.
Last updated 18/07/26