Skip to content
Please donate

Paying for care

Social care services aren't usually provided free of charge. You may need to pay some, or all, of the cost of the care services you need. We can help you work out whether you may be entitled to help with care costs from your local council, and what to do if you have to pay the full cost of your care. 

The two most important things to be aware of:

  1. Social care services aren't usually provided free of charge. You may need to pay for all of the cost of the care services you need. But following a financial assessment, you may be entitled to help with care costs from your local council.
  2. Your council won't help you with care costs until they've assessed your care needs. This means that the first step in getting help from your council is to ask them for a care needs assessment.

Am I entitled to help with my care costs?

If the council decides you’re eligible for support or care, they'll then carry out a financial assessment to work out whether you’re entitled to help with the costs of your care. 

The financial assessment looks at your income, such as pensions and benefits, and your 'capital', such as any savings you have, to work out whether you're entitled to help with care costs. If you are, the financial assessment works out how much you may need to contribute towards the cost of the care services you need.

Paying for different types of care

Care home fees and at-home care service fees vary depending on a number of different factors, including the area, what services are included and whether or not you're eligible for financial help from the council.

Residential care

Care at home

 

'Care isn't like the NHS so you don't get it for free'

Caroline Abrahams, Age UK Charity Director, talks about the cost of care at home.

Commonly asked questions

Phone icon We're here to help

We offer support through our free advice line on 0800 678 1602. Lines are open 8am-7pm, 365 days a year. We also have specialist advisers at over 120 local Age UKs.

About the Age UK Advice Line Find your local Age UK

Become part of our story

Sign up today

Back to top