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Care homes
Going into a care home
If you need to live in a home and need financial help, you should first contact the Social Services Department of your local authority (in Scotland, your Social Work Department). If they decide going into a care home is your best option, they will :
- help you choose the care home which is best for you
- work out if you can afford to pay towards the cost of the home
- arrange to pay the home's fees if you cannot afford to pay them yourself.
How do I pay my care costs?
If you have savings over a specified amount, you will be expected to pay the full cost of the home. Your Social Services Department will be able to tell you what their savings limits are. If they help you with the cost, you will be left with an amount of money each week towards your personal expenses such as toiletries and clothes.
If you choose to go into a home that is more expensive than Social Services will pay, you will need to find a way to pay the differences. Sometimes the NHS can fund a place in a care home and you will not have to pay.
More information
If you want more information about help from your social services department or, in Scotland, your social work department, you can find their address in the phone book. Look under the name of your County Council, Borough Council or in some areas, new Unitary Authority, or London Borough. If you live in Scotland, look under the name of your Regional or Island Council.
Other help
Disability Living Allowance on the Directgov website
Attendance Allowance on the Directgov website
Carers Allowance on the Directgov website
Housing Benefit on the Department for Work and Pensions website
Council Tax Benefit on the Department for Work and Pensions website
Pension Credit
Remember that this website is only a general guide to benefits and schemes and is not a full and authoritative statement of the law.