Funding for care homes can come from several different sources. Different rules apply for different parts of the uk

If you are going into a Residential Home or a Care Home with Nursing, and require the cost to be met by another body other than yourself, then a financial assesment will have to be made as there are certain rules to be met.

Funding for care homes is provided by your local authoritiy ,social services ,and government departments ,who willl carry out this assesment to decide how much they will pay towards your care, and how much if any, you will have to pay.

This is a financial assessment to see how much you have in savings and income and, will include the value of your property. If you have a partner, then the local auhority does not have a right to means test them. The value of the property will then be valued at 50% for your assessedment purposes.


How funding for Care Homes is worked out.

If your savings and property are less than £13.500, then the full cost of your care will be met by social services.

If your savings are between £13.500 and £22.250 inuding your property, some of the costs for the care home will have to be met by you,

If your total savings including your property exceed £22.250 then you will have to pay the full cost of your fees.

The above information was correct in April 2008 but can change each year.

If you own your own home.

The value of your home will not be taken into account for the first 12 weeks of your stay in a care home, giving you time to decide what is to done with your property.

Be aware that if you give your home over to your family or rent it out ,you could still be liable to pay towards your care. This is a complex issue, and advice would best be sought. The assessment valuing your property only applies to funding for care homes,and not for care in your own home if you stay there.

Selling your home.

Before you decide to go into a care home , you need to find out from your local authority or social services if you will have to sell your home to be eligible for funding. If you have a partner still living in the home while you are in care, then this will change things ,as they entitled to remain there if it is their home. It is advisable to get as much advice as you can especially from a specalist financial adviser.

For further information see Funding for Care Homes in our Further Information and Support Group page.