Paying for care and getting advice

How much will I have to pay for my care? 

What you pay depends on what your needs are, how much money you have, and what level and type of care and support you require. Care and support services are not free. Most people have to pay something towards their own care and some will have to pay for all of the costs.

We may cover some or all of the cost of care in some circumstances, but help is "means-tested".

Find out if you are likely to have to contribute towards your social care support.

If we consider that you need support that it can provide, we may also carry out a financial assessment. This assessment will determine:

• whether the local authority will meet all the cost of your care,
• or whether you will need to contribute towards your care cost,
• or whether you will have to meet the full costs yourself.

Advice

The cost of care and support is likely to be a long-term commitment and may be substantial, particularly if you choose to go into a care home, or if you have care needs at an early age. If you or a member of the family need to pay for care at home or in a care home, it is important to understand the alternatives. This makes advice tailored to your individual needs vital. You can get advice from:

• the Money Advice Service website has tips on planning ahead for a time when you can’t manage your own finances.
• from qualified, independent financial advisers who specialise in care funding advice; they are regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and must stick to a code of conduct and ethics, and take shared responsibility for the suitability of any product they recommend.
• from Coventry Citizens Advice or Coventry Law Centre.
• your local authority – through an assessment of your care and support needs, as well as advice on which services are available locally.

Further information about getting independent financial advice.