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Social Care Funding Understanding Your Options

Navigating the complex world of social care funding can be overwhelming, especially when you or a loved one requires care services. At Tier One Care, we understand these challenges and are committed to helping you access the care you need at prices you can afford. Our “We Won’t Be Beaten On Price” guarantee ensures that you’ll receive high-quality, compassionate care without breaking the bank.

Understanding Social Care Funding in the UK

Social care funding varies across different parts of the UK, with each nation having its own system and eligibility criteria. Understanding these differences is crucial when planning for care needs.

England’s Social Care Funding System

In England, adult social care funding is allocated by local authorities and is means-tested. This means your financial eligibility for funding is assessed based on your regular income and capital assets, including savings, investments, and property.

The means test takes into account:

Your regular income (pensions, benefits, etc.)
Your savings and investments
Property you own (in most cases)

Your eligibility for social care funding in England depends on your capital assets:

If your capital exceeds the upper threshold, you’ll likely need to self-fund your care
If your capital falls between the lower and upper thresholds, you’ll contribute partially to your care costs
If your capital is below the lower threshold, the local authority will fund your care, though you may still contribute from your income

Scotland’s Social Care Funding Approach

Scotland has a different approach to social care funding. Both social care funding and nursing care funding are accessed through local authorities and are free to those assessed as needing it. This represents a significant difference from the system in England, potentially reducing the financial burden on individuals requiring care.

Recent Funding Developments

The UK government has been increasing funding for adult social care in recent years. The local government finance settlement for 2025/26 confirmed:

An additional £880 million for the Social Care Grant (for both adult and children’s social care), bringing the total to around £5.9 billion
Local authorities with social care responsibilities can set an adult social care precept of up to 2%, making available around £650 million
A £2.64 billion Better Care Grant, pooled as part of the Better Care Fund

Types of Social Care Funding Available

NHS Continuing Healthcare

NHS Continuing Healthcare is a package of care for adults with complex health needs that’s arranged and funded solely by the NHS. It covers the full cost of care, whether provided in your home or a care home, including:

Healthcare services
Personal care assistance (help with bathing, dressing, etc.)
Care home fees, including accommodation costs

To qualify for NHS Continuing Healthcare, you must have what’s considered a “primary health need,” meaning the majority of your care involves managing health needs rather than social or personal care needs. The assessment process involves:

An initial screening using a checklist
If the screening is positive, a full assessment by a multidisciplinary team of healthcare professionals

The team will evaluate your needs based on:

What help you require
The complexity of your needs
The intensity of your needs
How unpredictable they are, including health risks if appropriate care isn’t provided

Eligibility depends on your assessed needs, not on any particular diagnosis or condition. If your needs change, your eligibility may also change.

Personal Budgets and Direct Payments

If you’re eligible for social care funding, you may receive a personal budget. This gives you greater control over how your care is delivered. You can choose to:

Ask the local authority to manage your budget and arrange suitable care
Receive direct payments to arrange and pay for your own care services

Direct payments enable you to:

Choose your preferred care provider
Set up your care package according to your specific needs
Pay providers directly
Top up payments if needed

At Tier One Care, we accept both direct payments and payments made from your local council on your behalf, making the process seamless for you.

How to Access Social Care Funding

Step 1: Request a Care Needs Assessment

The first step in accessing social care funding is to request a care needs assessment from your local authority. This assessment determines what level of care and support you need based on how well you can manage everyday tasks.

Everyone has the right to a care needs assessment, regardless of their financial situation. The assessment is free and aims to identify everything you may need help with to live as independently as possible in your home.

Step 2: Financial Assessment (Means Test)

If the care needs assessment determines that you require support, the next step is a financial assessment or means test. This evaluates your financial situation to determine how much, if anything, you need to contribute toward your care costs.

The financial assessment will consider:

Your income (pensions, benefits, etc.)
Your savings and investments
Any property you own (in some cases)

Step 3: Funding Decision

After the assessments, you’ll receive a letter explaining:

The cost of your care
How much funding you’re eligible for
How much you need to contribute, if anything

There are typically three possible outcomes:

All costs paid by the local authority
Partial funding with you contributing a portion
Self-funding (you pay all costs)

If you have questions about how your financial assessment was calculated, you can ask the council to explain it to you.

Self-Funding Care Options

If you're not eligible for funding or only receive partial funding, you'll need to consider self-funding options. At Tier One Care, we understand this can be concerning, which is why we offer our "We Won't Be Beaten On Price" guarantee.
For those who need to sell their home to pay for care, you may be eligible for:
A 12-week property disregard: The value of your home isn't included in your financial assessment for 12 weeks, giving you time to sell it or consider other options
A deferred payment agreement: Your local council effectively lends you money to pay for care costs, with the debt repaid when your home is sold

How Tier One Care Can Help

At Tier One Care, we’re committed to providing high-quality, compassionate care at competitive prices. Our “We Won’t Be Beaten On Price” guarantee means you’ll never pay more than necessary for excellent care.

We can help you:
Understand your funding options
Implement a complete package of support within your budget
Arrange care that's tailored to your unique needs and requirements
Plan for future care needs while remaining mindful of your budget
Whether you're eligible for full funding, partial funding, or need to self-fund your care, our team of experts can guide you through the process and ensure you receive the best possible care at the most affordable price.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Who is eligible for NHS Continuing Healthcare?

Eligibility depends on having a “primary health need” where the majority of your care involves managing health needs rather than social or personal care needs. You’ll need to go through an assessment process to determine eligibility.

How do personal budgets work?

If you’re eligible for social care funding, you’ll receive a personal budget that represents the overall cost of your care. You can either ask the local authority to manage this budget or receive direct payments to arrange your own care.

What happens if my care needs change?

Your eligibility for funding may change if your care needs change. Local authorities should review your finances annually, and you can request a reassessment if your circumstances change significantly.

Can I get funding for care in my own home?

Yes, social care funding can cover care provided in your own home. This includes personal care, meal preparation, mobility assistance, and other support services that help you maintain independence.

How do I appeal a funding decision?

If you disagree with a funding decision, you can appeal through your local authority’s complaints procedure. Independent organizations like Beacon can provide free advice on NHS Continuing Healthcare appeals.

Call us today for a free consultation and discover how we can help you or your loved one live independently with the right support in place.

Contact Tier One Care Today

Don’t navigate the complex world of social care funding alone. Our expert team at Tier One Care is here to help you understand your options and access the care you need at prices you can afford.

With our “We Won’t Be Beaten On Price” guarantee, you can be confident that you’re receiving the highest quality care at the most competitive rates in the market.