--- title: Care Costs & Funding | Homecare Services & Domiciliary Care canonical: https://www.thegoodplace.care/care-in-your-own-home/care-costs-and-funding last updated: 2025-11-26 12:37:45 GMT version: 1 --- # Care Costs & Funding Understanding how to pay for home care can feel confusing, especially when you’re trying to make the best decisions for yourself or a loved one. This guide breaks down the different ways care can be funded — from private payments to council support, part-funding and direct payments. Our aim is to make the process clearer, remove uncertainty and help you feel confident planning safe, reliable and affordable care at home. ## Paying for home care Home care services aren’t usually free, and are paid for by:- - The person that uses the service or their loved ones; - A local authority (such as a council or NHS Trust). ## Paying Privately for Home Care Paying privately (also called self-funding) means you or your loved one uses personal savings and/ or income (such as a pension) to pay a provider directly for home care.  This option is generally for those who are not eligible for funding by a local authority (because of assets and savings greater than £23,250), or those who want to have control over their care options. With this option you are free to choose the care provider that you want to use. ## The Costs of Private Home Care  Care costs depend on the care needs, the care visit duration, as well as when and where the care takes place. Our care costs start at £25 per-hour, and care visits can be arranged in 15 minute increments. Travel time is covered in the cost and travel time to and from the location is not deducted from the care visit time (if you need us for 1 hour that's the face-to-face time your get), there are also no hidden fees or extra charges for things like travel, admin, or PPE. ## Full Funding by a Local Authority If the council or other local authority fully funds your care, they cover the cost based on you or your loved ones' assessed needs. Fully funded care is only available following a [care needs assessment](https://www.thegoodplace.care/care-in-your-own-home/care-costs-and-funding/care-needs-assessment), which includes a financial assessment (or means test). Generally, if assets (including most investments and savings, but excluding any property) for the person needing care are less than £14,250 they should qualify for full funding.  With this option the council or local authority will choose the care provider that will be used, and will pay the provider directly. ## Partial Funding by a Local Authority When care is part-funded, the council or other local authority pays for a portion of the care costs and you or your loved one have to pay the rest. Partially funded care is only available following a [care needs assessment](https://www.thegoodplace.care/care-in-your-own-home/care-costs-and-funding/care-needs-assessment), which includes a financial assessment (or means test). Generally, if assets (including most investments and savings, but excluding any property) for the person needing care are between £14,250 and £23,250 they should qualify for partial funding. With this option the council or local authority will choose the care provider that will be used, and will pay their portion directly to the provider, your or your loved one then pay the difference.  ## Asking for Direct Payments  If you or your loved one are eligible for funding (either in full or in part) by a local authority you can request the funding amount to be paid to you or your loved one directly. With this option you choose and arrange the care provider that you want to use, which you or your loved one would then pay for using all or part of the direct payment you received.  ## How to access funding from a local authority To get help from a local council, you or your loved one must first ask them for a [care needs assessment](https://www.thegoodplace.care/care-in-your-own-home/care-costs-and-funding/care-needs-assessment). This assessment looks at what care needs you or your loved ones' have and the sort of care services that may help meet the needs. The [care needs assessment](https://www.thegoodplace.care/care-in-your-own-home/care-costs-and-funding/care-needs-assessment) also looks at whether you or your loved ones' are eligible for help from the council, based on the level of need. This is called having 'eligible' care needs. The [care needs assessment](https://www.thegoodplace.care/care-in-your-own-home/care-costs-and-funding/care-needs-assessment) will also include a financial assessment (or means test). ## Getting a Care needs assessment Everyone is entitled to a free [care needs assessment](https://www.thegoodplace.care/care-in-your-own-home/care-costs-and-funding/care-needs-assessment). You can ask your council for a [care needs assessment](https://www.thegoodplace.care/care-in-your-own-home/care-costs-and-funding/care-needs-assessment) or, with your permission, your carer, GP or district nurse can refer you for an assessment on your behalf.  ## Support following a hospital discharge If you or a loved one is being discharged from hospital, there should be a [care needs assessment](https://www.thegoodplace.care/care-in-your-own-home/care-costs-and-funding/care-needs-assessment) done beforehand to work out what care services may be needed following the discharge. This may include a period of rehabilitation to help with recovery at home. ## Other Financial Support Make sure you’re claiming all the benefits you’re entitled to. - Attendance Allowance is a benefit for people over State Pension age who need extra help to stay independent at home, due to an illness or disability. - If you’re under State Pension age, you may be eligible for Personal Independence Payment (PIP) instead. - If you have a carer, they could be eligible for Carer’s Allowance. These benefits aren’t means-tested (although with Carer's Allowance you can't earn more than a set amount per week) so they don't take into account your income and savings. ## Care Costs & Funding FAQ's You’re bound to have questions when exploring your home care options, so we’ve answered some of the most common ones below. ### How can I get a personalised cost estimate for care? [Contact us](https://www.thegoodplace.care/contact) for a friendly conversation about you or your loved ones' needs. We’ll assess routines, preferred visit times and required support before providing a clear, itemised estimate tailored to your situation.  ### How do personal budgets work? A personal budget is money allocated by the council to meet you or your loved ones' assessed needs. You can choose for the council to manage care arrangements (including payments to the provider) or you take direct payments (where you arrange your own care provider and pay them using the money from the direct payment). ### Are there benefits that can help cover home care costs? Many people qualify for allowances or pension-related support that can contribute to care expenses. These include:- - Attendance Allowance; - Personal Independence Payment; - Carer’s Allowance. ### What is self-funded care? Self-funded care mean's you arrange and pay for care using your own savings or income. This option is generally for those who are not eligible for funding by a local authority (because of assets and savings greater than £23,250), or those who want to have control over their care options. ### What are direct payments? Direct payments are funds the council gives directly to you our your loved one so you can choose and pay for your own care provider.  ### How can I find out if the council will fully fund care? You’ll need a [care needs assessment](https://www.thegoodplace.care/care-in-your-own-home/care-costs-and-funding/care-needs-assessment) which will include financial assessment (or means test).  If assets (including most investments and savings, but excluding any property) are:- - Over £23,250 - No funding available, so you or your loved one will need to pay for the full costs privately (also called self-funding). - Between £14,250 and £23,250 - Partial-funding available, you or your loved one will need to contribute towards the costs of care from income (such as a pension) or savings. - Less than £14,250 - Full-funding available, but some financial contribution from income (such as a pension) or savings may still be needed. ### How can I reduce care costs without reducing quality? Approaches like combining tasks into one visit, using assistive devices or adjusting care visit lengths can lower costs. ### What is part-funded care? Part-funded care means the council pays a portion of the care costs while you or a loved one contributes the rest. This is normally the case where assets (including most investments and savings, but excluding any property) are between £14,250 and £23,250 ### Care Costs & Funding in my area? We provide home care services across the East Midlands, including Staffordshire, Derbyshire and surrounding areas.