Your assessments and all the information and advice we provide you afterwards is completely free. The cost of any services you receive depends on your specific financial situation and the service provided.
What if my primary needs are health-related?
You do not have to pay for any services provided by the NHS. If you need nursing care, NHS nurses can come to your home or care home. If you need to move to a care home that provides nursing care, then the NHS will pay a fixed amount for the nursing part of the home’s fees.
If you decide to receive it at home, NHS would cover your nursing services, but not general support costs.
Services provided at home
The cost of services delivered in your own home will depend on many things.
Generally, you will have to pay some of the cost of your care if your savings or capital (excluding the value of your house) is above a certain amount. There will be a cap on how much you will be charged weekly.
Your Social Worker or Visiting Officer will tell you the capital limit amount and current maximum charge per week.
Care homes
Generally, if your savings or capital (excluding the value of your house) is
- above a certain amount, you will have to pay the cost of your care, with a cap on how much you will be charged weekly.
- below that capital limit, and your only income is the state pension (plus guarantee credit if applicable), then you will be left with a personal allowance.
Your Social Worker or Visiting Officer will tell you the capital limit amount and current maximum charge per week
What if I prefer to make my own arrangements?
Some people prefer to make their own arrangements. If we are funding your services, the
Direct Payments Scheme allows you to do this and pay your care staff yourself while we oversee that money is properly used.