Paying for care and support

A self-funder is someone who pays the full cost of their own care and support.

You may be considered a self-funder if:

• you have care and support needs, but your savings and assets are above £23,250
• you choose not to ask us to assess your care and support needs
• you choose not to complete a financial assessment
• you have been assessed but are not currently eligible for Council-funded adult social care

We know that care costs can feel overwhelming. 

If you are thinking about care and support for yourself or someone close to you, understanding how it will be funded can feel daunting. Many people find the rules around paying for care confusing, so you are not alone.

In general:

• If you have more than £23,250 in savings and assets, you will usually be expected to pay the full cost of your care and support yourself. This means you are a self-funder.
• If you have between £14,250 and £23,250 in savings and assets, you may still need to contribute towards the cost of your care, depending on your circumstances.

This information is designed to help people who pay for their own care, as well as family members, friends, attorneys and others helping to arrange care on someone's behalf. Our information, guidance and online tools can help you to:

• understand what care might cost
• plan ahead for future care needs
• understand when you may become eligible for financial support
• compare the costs of receiving support at home with moving into a care home
• make informed decisions about how to fund care and support

Planning ahead can help you feel more confident about the future and make the most of the money available to you.

How do I know if I am eligible for Council-funded care and support?

The first step is to understand your care and support needs.

We will usually do this by having a conversation with you or completing a Care and Support Needs Assessment. This helps us understand how your needs affect your day-to-day life and whether you meet the eligibility criteria set out in the Care Act 2014.

You can complete our Adult Social Care Self-Assessment for yourself, or on behalf of someone else (with their permission):

Alternatively, you can contact our Community Access Team on 0300 123 7034.

Understanding the process

There are two separate stages to the process:

Step 1: Care Assessment

We assess whether you have eligible care and support needs.

Step 2: Financial Assessment

If you have eligible care needs, we look at your income, savings and assets to determine whether you will need to contribute towards the cost of your care.

It is important to understand that being eligible for care and support does not automatically mean that we will pay for your care.

How do I know if I qualify for financial assistance?

Once your care and support needs have been assessed, we will carry out a financial assessment (sometimes called a means test).

This helps us work out whether you are able to contribute towards the cost of your care and, if so, how much.

As a general guide:

• if your savings and assets are above £23,250, you will usually be responsible for paying the full cost of your care
• if your savings and assets fall below £23,250, you may be eligible for financial support from us, depending on your circumstances

If you are a self-funder, you can choose and arrange your own care and support and pay your care provider directly.

To help give you an indication about whether you will be eligible for financial assistance when your assets fall below £23,250, you can use our Online Financial Assessment calculator.

More information and instructions about the Online Financial Assessment tool and how to use it can be found on our Financial assessment calculator page.

Please note: the financial assessment calculator provides an estimate only. Actual costs and timescales may differ depending on changes to your circumstances, the cost of your care, and any changes to your income, savings or assets.

What happens if my savings reduce over time?

Many people pay for their own care initially and later become eligible for financial support as their savings reduce.

How can I plan ahead and make my money go further?

Paying for care can be one of the largest expenses people face later in life, so it is often helpful to seek professional advice.

An independent financial adviser can help you understand your options and plan for the future. They may be able to help you:

• make the most of your savings and income
• plan for current and future care costs
• reduce the risk of running out of money
• review your assets, including property, to see whether they could help support your care needs
• understand the financial products available to help fund long-term care
• check that you are receiving all the benefits and entitlements available to you

When choosing an adviser, we recommend using someone who specialises in later-life and long-term care funding and is regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).

What if I am worried about paying for care in the future?

We understand that concerns about paying for care can cause worry and uncertainty.

If you are concerned about how long your savings may last, please contact us as early as possible. We can explain what support may be available and help you understand the options open to you if your circumstances change.

Seeking advice early can help you plan ahead and avoid unnecessary stress later on.

To help you understand more about paying for care, we have also provided a helpful information leaflet and a video guide produced by the University of Birmingham.

These resources explain care funding in more detail and may help you make informed decisions.