Social care services, unlike health care, is not free for everyone.
Most people will have to pay something towards the cost of their care, with some people having to pay the full cost.
A short video about who pays for social care
The short video below describes how we work out who pays for social care.
Paying for care
If you have savings and capital assets (like owning a property), of more than £23,250, you will be expected to pay the full cost of your care services.
If you have less than £23,250, we will financially assess you to find out how much you will pay towards your care.
You will be asked to complete a financial assessment to determine what you need to pay towards the cost of your care.
Download our fact sheet 'A guide to self funding' (PDF)
It's important to make sure you find out as much as possible before you make decisions on funding your care.
Paying for services (Easy Read) (PDF)
A needs assessment is the first step
Before we can arrange services for you, you will need an assessment. This involves a detailed discussion with you. If you wish you may have someone to speak on your behalf such as a friend or an advocate. Assessments are free.
Adult social care charging policy
You can view our adult social care charging policy (PDF) here.
Care packages
After an assessment we decide what help can be offered and how we can arrange it. This is called a Care Package.
Financial assessment - paying for care in a care home (residential care)
To help you understand the financial arrangements around paying for care in a care home please read our Paying for care in a care home - your questions answered page.
You can also see our fact sheets:
- Paying for care - residential and nursing care (PDF)
- Paying for care - residential and nursing care deferred payment scheme (PDF)
A financial assessment will look at your money to see how much you can afford to pay towards your care each week.
To help you complete the financial assessment form, check out our example "residential care" form (PDF).
Complete the financial assessment form
Financial assessment - paying for care at home and in the community (non-residential care)
Non residential care includes services such as home care, day care and direct payments.
To help you understand the financial arrangements around paying for care at home and in the community please read our Paying for care at home and in the community - your questions answered page.
Please see our Paying for care - living at home factsheet (PDF) for more information.
A financial assessment will look at your money to see how much you can afford to pay towards your care each week.
To help you complete the financial assessment form, check out our example "non-residential care" form (PDF).
Complete the financial assessment form
Further advice about paying for your care
The following organisations provide information on paying for care: