Paying for residential or nursing care

f your care needs can no longer be safely met at home, moving into a residential or nursing home may be the most appropriate way to ensure you receive the support you need.

A residential care home provides accommodation, meals and personal care for people who require ongoing support with daily living, including:

• Washing, bathing and dressing
• Eating and drinking
• Taking medication
• Moving around safely
• Personal care and everyday routines

A nursing home provides the same support as a residential care home, with the addition of qualified nurses on site 24 hours a day to provide and oversee nursing care.

Find out more about residential and nursing care homes

Costs

Typical weekly costs are:

Your contribution

The amount you contribute towards your care will depend on your:

• Care needs assessment, which determines the level of support you require
• Financial assessment, which considers your income, savings and assets

If you are required to contribute, we will ensure you are left with a Personal Expenses Allowance. This is a weekly amount set by the Government to cover personal items and everyday expenses (£31.80 per week 26/27).

Choosing a care home

If we are contributing towards the cost of your care, we will work with you to identify a care home that can meet your assessed needs.

You can express a preference for a particular home, provided that:

• It can meet your assessed care and support needs
• a place is available
• the cost is within the amount we would normally expect to pay for someone with similar needs
• it is a care provider we work with

If you fund your own care, you can contact providers directly, compare services and costs, and choose the provider that best meets your needs and preferences. You can still access information and advice from the Council to help you make informed decisions about your care and support.

Find about more about self-funding your own care costs

12-week property disregard

If your savings and other assets (not including your home) are worth less than £23,250 at the point you first enter a residential care home, the value of your main and only home may not be included in your financial assessment for the first 12 weeks of your placement.

This is called a 12-week property disregard. It gives you time to decide what to do with your property, such as selling it or applying for a deferred payment scheme.

In some circumstances, the value of your property may continue to be excluded from the financial assessment if it has been continuously occupied since before you went into residential care, by:

• your spouse, civil partner or partner
• a relative aged 60 or over
• a child under 18 who you are responsible for
• a disabled or incapacitated relative, supported by appropriate medical evidence and benefits entitlement

Top-ups or third-party agreements

You may choose a care home that costs more than the amount we would normally expect to pay to meet your assessed needs.

In these circumstances, you may still be able to move into your preferred home if a relative, friend or another third party is willing and able to pay the additional cost. This is known as a top-up fee or third-party contribution.

Before entering into a top-up agreement, it is important to consider whether the arrangement can be sustained over the long term. If the payments can no longer be made, you may need to move to alternative accommodation.

The amount of the top-up is agreed when you move into the care home. It may be reviewed by the provider, provided appropriate notice is given. Anyone making a top-up payment can request a review at any time, and we will review the arrangement periodically.

A Third Party top up payment will be in addition to your personally assessed financial contribution.

Request an assessment

You can also request a free care needs assessment to discuss your circumstances and explore the support and funding options available to you.

Last updated 14 August 2026