Information & advice

Do you qualify for help with your care home fees? Is the local authority charging you the right amount?

The rules that determine these questions are complicated. If your savings are more than a certain amount, you may have to pay the full cost of care.

Even below the limit, most care home residents contribute something towards the cost of their care. Our factsheet explains what financial help is available and how much you should be asked to pay from your own money.

Subjects covered include:

• Funding from the NHS and state benefits 
• When to approach the local authority
• Your capital – savings, property and other assets
• How the means test works, including worked examples
• Fee levels and top up payments
• Paying bills and managing someone else’s money
• Paying your own care costs
• The new Framework for NHS funded continuing care and the single rate for NHS funded nursing care.

If you live in a care home or know someone who does, this factsheet will enable you to make sure that you aren’t paying more than you have to. 

Further information

Please download our factsheet in the top right corner of this page for detailed information.