✧ Funding & costs
Help with paying for care
Worrying about how to pay for care adds stress at an already difficult time. Here are the main routes families use to fund live-in care, and how to find out what you qualify for.
Depending on your circumstances and where you live, some or all of the cost of care may be covered by benefits, your local authority or the NHS. Most families use a combination. Our care managers can point you towards the right assessment.
Attendance Allowance and Personal Independence Payment
Attendance Allowance and Personal Independence Payments are benefits paid to people who need help with personal care because of illness or disability. They are not means-tested, so savings and income do not affect eligibility, and the money can be spent on care.
Direct payments
Direct payments are funds given to you by the local council to pay for care. They are means-tested and depend on a care needs assessment. If you qualify, you can use the payment to arrange care yourself rather than have the council arrange it for you.
NHS Continuing Healthcare
If you have long-term complex health needs, you may be eligible for care that is arranged and funded by the NHS. Continuing Healthcare is not means-tested — eligibility is based on the nature and complexity of your health needs rather than your finances.
Equity release
If you own your home, you may be able to release some of its value to pay for care while continuing to live there. This is a significant financial decision and should always be taken with independent financial advice.
Self-funding
Many families fund care privately, either in full or alongside benefits such as Attendance Allowance. Because live-in care is charged as a single fixed weekly fee, it is easier to budget for than hourly visiting care — and for couples it is often better value than two care home places.
Funding differs across the UK
The rules are not the same everywhere. Scotland provides free personal and nursing care to those assessed as needing it, regardless of income. In Northern Ireland care is arranged through Health and Social Care Trusts rather than local authorities. In the Republic of Ireland, support is arranged through the HSE. Our care managers will explain what applies where you live.
Not sure where to start? Talk to our care team and we'll help you work out what you may be entitled to.
Common questions
Questions families ask us most
The things people search for before they call us — answered plainly.
Not seeing your question?
Our care managers answer these every day. A no-obligation call takes about ten minutes.
0800 368 8558Lines open 8am–10pm, seven days a week See all questionsIs Attendance Allowance means tested?
No. Attendance Allowance is not means tested, so your income and savings do not affect whether you qualify. It is based on the help you need with personal care.
Who qualifies for NHS Continuing Healthcare?
NHS Continuing Healthcare is for people with long-term complex health needs. Eligibility is assessed on the nature, complexity and unpredictability of your health needs, not on your finances.
Is care funding the same across the UK?
No. Scotland provides free personal and nursing care to those assessed as needing it. Northern Ireland arranges care through Health and Social Care Trusts, and the Republic of Ireland through the HSE. England and Wales operate means tested local authority funding.
Can I get help working out what I qualify for?
Yes. Our care managers regularly help families understand which funding routes may apply and how to request a care needs assessment from their local authority.