Any properties you own but don’t live in, savings, stocks or shares will be counted in the assessment. You’ll be treated as having a 50% share in anything you jointly own, such as a joint bank account.

What capital is disregarded from a financial assessment?

Some types of investment bond with life assurance elements attached
Certain personal injury payments
Money held for you in some types of trust

For savings below £23,250

If you have less than £23,250 in capital but more than £14,250 then you will be assumed to have an income equal to £1 for every £250 you have between these two amounts. For example, if you had savings of £16,050, there are seven full amounts of £250 and another partial amount towards your next £250. This means you would be assumed you have a ‘tariff income’ of £8 per week. The closer you get to £14,250 the lower this amount becomes.

In Wales, the capital limit for local authority support is £24,000 for care at home and £50,000 for care in a care home. There are no lower limits, so tariff income is not considered.

In Northern Ireland personal care at home is free when assessed and arranged by your local authority. Care in a care home is subject to the same capital limits and tariff income as England.

In Scotland the upper capital limit for local authority support in a care home is £35,000, the lower limit is £21,500. Care at home is typically provided free of charge when arranged through your local authority.

Paying for care

Care Concierge