What we fund and what you may have to contribute
We will work out what your care and support needs are through your care and support assessment which tells us what services you may need to live as well as possible with any illness or disability you may have. We have to target those with the greater need who are eligible for our assistance.
If you are eligible for support from us, we will carry out a financial assessment of your personal finances to see if you will have to pay a contribution towards the cost of your care and support services (apart from the ones that are free listed above).
We do this because, unlike health, social care has always been a means-tested service, meaning that people are expected to contribute towards their care and support costs if they can afford to.
The rules are different for different types of care, so how much you may have to contribute will vary according to the care service you receive and your own finances.
Read our factsheet Fees, Costs and Allowances for more information.
You can look at our webpage paying for residential care for more information about the services and the choices you will be offered.
Our webpage paying for care at home has more information about personal budgets and the possibility of you arranging your own care if you want with a direct payment.
If you are thinking of employing people to help with personal care, or help at home (such as cleaning, shopping, and gardening), you may want to refer to our webpage on employing private help which provides you with useful guidance on what you need to think about and whether it is best to employ them or to use an agency or contractor.