Understanding care costs and funding in England

This article explains how funding for home care generally works in England. It is general information only, not financial or legal advice, and the rules and thresholds change. Always check the current position with your local council or an independent adviser before making decisions.

Anyone who appears to need care and support can ask their council for a needs assessment, and it is free regardless of income or savings. In this area that means Doncaster Council adult social care.

The assessment looks at what someone struggles with day to day and what support would help. It is worth requesting even if you expect to pay for care yourselves, because it establishes what is needed and can open up other help such as equipment or adaptations.

If the council agrees that support is needed, a separate financial assessment, often called a means test, looks at income and capital to work out whether the council will contribute.

There are national thresholds that determine whether care is fully funded, partly funded or paid for privately. These figures are set by government and are reviewed periodically, so we deliberately do not quote them here. Your council or the sources below will confirm the current position.

Many families arrange and pay for home care directly, which is often called self funding. The advantage is choice and speed, as you pick the provider and the pattern of visits without waiting for a council process.

If you self fund, still ask about a needs assessment. Some support is not means tested, and knowing what you are entitled to helps you plan.

Several forms of support are not means tested and are often missed. Attendance Allowance for older people who need help with personal care, Carer's Allowance for family carers, and NHS Continuing Healthcare for people with significant ongoing health needs are all worth investigating. Charities such as Age UK offer free benefit checks.

Because the rules change and every situation differs, speak to someone independent before committing.

We will always be straightforward about what our care involves and what it costs, and we will never pressure anyone into arranging support they do not need. To talk it through with no obligation, call Britz Healthcare on 01302 870 161.