Some types of care are free. This includes basic equipment costing under £1,000 and short-term help after a hospital stay (known as reablement).
If you need support beyond that, you may need to pay towards the cost. How much you pay depends on your income, savings and assets. If you have:
- less than £23,250, the council may help you pay for your care.
- more than £23,250, you’ll usually need to pay the full cost yourself.
Types of care
How much you pay can depend on where you receive care.
'Non-residential care' means care at home. It includes services that help you live independently, such as:
- home carers
- day support
- personal assistants
'Residential care' means care homes and nursing homes. It includes support in a registered care home or nursing home, where costs are generally higher. There are different ways to fund your care, including Deferred Payment Agreements (where you use the value of your home to pay later).
How we calculate the cost of your care
We calculate the cost of your care using a financial assessment. This tells us how much you can afford to pay towards your care and support. We will look at your income, including any:
- pensions you receive
- state benefits you receive
- assets you own
We offer a financial assessment to everyone with a social care support plan. This is a personalised document that describes your individual care needs and how they can be met.
You’ll be offered a financial assessment once we’ve agreed what care and support you need. We’ll then help you manage your personal budget and support options.