Paying for adult social care - DRAFT SEP 2026

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If you've been assessed as needing adult social care, you may need to pay towards the cost of your care and support.

Adult social care is different from NHS care. NHS care is usually free, but adult social care is not always free. Most people are asked to contribute towards the cost of their care and support, although the amount you pay will depend on your individual circumstances, including your income, savings, and assets.

Find out how care charges are assessed, what support may be available, and what your options are for arranging and paying for care and support.

The financial assessment

Learn how financial assessments work, how we calculate your contribution towards care and support, and what help is available if you're paying for your own care.

How to pay your care charges

Learn about the different ways you can pay for your care and support.

Paying for care in your own home or the community

Understand what you'll need to contribute towards care and support in your own home or community.

Leaving hospital and care charges

Find out how much you'll have to pay for care and support after you've left hospital.

Paying for a care home

If living in a care home is the best way of meeting your needs, we'll assess how much you need to contribute towards this.

Arranging and paying for your own support

If you don't qualify for help from us, or don't want to tell us about your finances to check eligibility, you can arrange and pay for care services yourself.

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