There are different ways for paying for your stays in care homes, with the full cost often being met by contributions from different sources. The most common ways of funding are

1. The local council social services department, which is responsible for funding older people in care. The amount of help you will get from your local council depends on your finances.
2. Some residents receiving nursing care may have some or all of their nursing care fees paid for them.

Before you can get help with funding a place in a care home, you must have your needs assessed and financial assessment by your local council. Need assessment is about the care and support you need and is not based on your finances.

When a local council assesses your needs it will be using its own rules to decide who qualifies for a care home place.

Financial assessment is looking at your income and capital to calculate how much you have to pay towards your home fees.

Your income includes: Interest on your savings, private or state pension and benefits like pension credits, Disability Living Allowance and Attendance Allowance

Your Capital includes: Savings, Investments and any property you own

The council need to know the level of your capital saving and weekly income. If you have over £22,250 in capital you will be assessed as being able to pay the full cost of your care, If your savings and capital are worth between £13,500 and £22,250 Capital between these amounts will be calculated as providing you with an income of £1 per week for every £250 of your savings and for £13,500and under you will not be expected to use any of this money to pay the care home fees. But you have to contribute all of your weekly income towards the fees, except for £21.90 a week which can keep spending on essential personal needs.

If you own your home then it will usually be counted as capital 12 weeks after you move permanently into a care home. The value of your own home will not be counted as capital if certain close relatives still live there