Financial assessment for care
Some adult social care services are not automatically free. If you need paid for support, we will carry out a financial assessment to work out whether you need to contribute towards the cost of your care and, if so, how much.
The amount you pay will depend on your individual financial circumstances and and the type of service you have.
If you are looking for advice and support that does not require a financial assessment, see support without a financial assessment.
How we assess your finances
A financial assessment looks at your capital including your income, savings and assets to work out how much, if anything, you will contribute toward your care fees.
Capital can include:
- savings and bank or building society accounts
- stocks, shares and investments
- ISAs and Premium Bonds
- additional properties or land you own
- the value of your home (in certain circumstances)
We may also consider assets that have been transferred, gifted or disposed of within the last 5–6 years if this has affected your ability to pay for care.
Capital threshold
We look at the total value of your capital and compare this against the national capital threshold. This helps us determine whether you will need to pay for your care in full or contribute towards the cost.
| Capital and savings | Contribution |
|---|---|
| Above £23,250 | Self-fund all care costs |
| £14,250 to £23,250 | Part-funded by council |
| Below £14,250 | Council contributes more significantly |
Even if you pay for your own care, you can still access information and advice about your care options as a self-funder.
Income assessment
If your capital is below the upper threshold (£23,250), we will carry out a financial assessment to calculate how much you can afford to contribute towards your care.
This assessment looks at your income, including:
- state and private pensions
- employment earnings
- benefits and allowances
- other sources of regular income
We also take account of allowable expenditure and ensure you are left with at least the Minimum Income Guarantee for community based services or Personal Expense Allowance for residential services so you have enough money for day-to-day living expenses.
Benefits you may be entitled to
Many people are not claiming all the benefits available to them. Some benefits can help meet the extra costs associated with illness, disability or care needs.
These include:
- Personal Independence Payment (PIP) – for people below State Pension age who have a long-term health condition or disability
- Attendance Allowance – for people over State Pension age who need help with personal care because of an illness or disability
You may also qualify for other financial support to help with everyday living costs.
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If you give away money or property to reduce the amount you pay for care, we may treat you as though you still own those assets. We may carry out checks including Land Registry searches, credit checks, and bank statements. Beneficiaries of these assets may be required to contribute towards your care costs.
Get advice and support
You can request a free care needs assessment to discuss your situation and explore the support available.
Last updated 14 August 2026