Paying for a care home placement

Most people who go into a care home must pay something toward the cost of their care. There are exceptions, like “continuing care” paid for by the NHS, and care under certain sections of the Mental Health Act.

Who must pay for their own care

If you have savings and assets worth more than £23,250, we'll usually expect you to pay the full cost of your care. Check with us first, in case you're eligible for support.

If you can afford it, you can make your own care arrangements or ask us to help. If you are receiving nursing care, you may be able to get help with part of your care costs through NHS Walsall.Visit Walsall NHS's website.

Find a list of other organisations who can give you advice.

Help with care costs

If your total savings and assets are less than £23,250, we will consider helping with care costs.

If your savings and assets are below £14,250, we will base the payments you need to make on your income.

If you ask us for a care home assessment, we will also complete a financial assessment. We will let you know how much you need to pay towards your care.

Get an assessment for residential care and a financial assessment.

Top ups

You can stay in a home which costs more than social services will pay if someone else agrees to pay the extra costs. This is called a third party top up.

This is an extra payment, as well as the contribution that we ask you to pay.

The home can change how much they charge, but they must tell you in advance that they are doing this.

The person who has agreed to pay the top up will get an invoice every four weeks, which they must pay directly to the home.

If these payments are not made, we may ask you to move to a home that still meets your needs, but costs less.

Top ups can sometimes be paid by the individual going into the home. This is called a first party top up. This can happen if you ask to receive a deferred payment arrangement, for example. We explain how this works below.

Deferred payments

A deferred payment is an agreement with the council to use the value of your home to help pay care costs. If you are eligible, we will help to pay the care home bills.

Repayments can be delayed until you choose to sell your home, or until after your death. You can rent your home to generate income in order to reduce what you have to pay back to us.

Questions about charges for care

If you have questions about charges for care, or if your financial situation changes, please contact us.