Charges for care and support

Upper capital limit

The upper capital limit is £23,250.

If you have capital and/or savings above £23,250, it is unlikely that you will qualify for financial assistance towards the cost of your care from us and you will be expected to make your own arrangements directly with any care provider. We call this a self-funder.

However, you can still ask the council for a care assessment as we may still be able to help you in some capacity, for example with information and advice. If you are unable to manage your own affairs and there is nobody else who can manage them for you, we will discuss the options available to support you.

When your capital or savings have nearly reduced to £23,250, you should contact us for a financial assessment means test to see if you will be eligible for funding assistance. Do not delay in contacting us as any financial assistance you qualify for will only be backdated to the date you got in touch. You should get in touch 3 months before your savings and investments fall below £23,250. We call this a funding pick up request.

You must continue to pay all your care fees yourself until a full financial assessment is completed and the Council have agreed to provide financial assistance to you.

Lower capital limit

The lower capital limit is £14,250, any capital or savings you have below £14,250 will not be counted within the financial assessment.

If you have capital or savings between £14,250 and £23,250, you may still qualify for some financial assistance towards the cost of your care from us. The amount you pay is called your assessed charge.

From your capital or savings, you will need to pay a tariff income amount of £1 for every £250 you have above £14,250.

For example, if you have £15,750 in a savings account, we will ignore the first £14,250 and assume an income of £6 per week on the remaining £1,500 (£1,500 ÷ £250 = £6). The assumed income of £6 per week will be included in the calculation of your weekly assessed charge, alongside any income you receive.