30 September 2026 · Jewel Home Support Team
Who Pays for Care at Home? Funding Options in England
There are three main ways care at home is paid for in England. Your council may help if you have an assessed need and savings below a set limit, you can pay for your own care, or the NHS may fund it if you have complex health needs. The NHS says the upper savings limit for council help is £23,250. If you have more than that, you would usually pay for your own care. Your home is not counted when you are getting care at home; the NHS says property affects eligibility only if you are moving into a care home.
This post is part of our series on care costs. For what an hour of care can cost, see how much does home care cost per hour.
Help from your council
The council route usually starts with a care needs assessment, followed by a financial assessment. You do not need a GP referral to ask for one. In Bolton that is Bolton Council, and its home care page lists 01204 337860 as a contact. In Chorley, adult social care is run by Lancashire County Council. Our guide to care needs assessments explains what to expect.
Paying for your own care
The NHS describes self-funders as people who arrange and pay for care themselves without involving the council. Some people do this because their savings are above the limit, and others choose to even if they might qualify for help. Either way, you can arrange care with us directly, and we can talk through your options at your free assessment.
NHS Continuing Healthcare
Some people with long-term complex health needs qualify for NHS Continuing Healthcare, which is arranged and funded solely by the NHS and can be provided in your own home. Eligibility depends on your assessed needs, not on any particular diagnosis. A decision about whether you should have a full assessment should usually be made within 28 days.
Where to start
If you are not sure which route fits, start with a free assessment. Someone from our office visits you at home, talks through what support is needed, and puts together a care plan. There is no obligation. Our page on paying for care sets out the options in more detail.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who pays for care at home in England?
It can be the council, the person receiving care, or the NHS. The council may help if savings are below the upper limit of £23,250, and the NHS may fund care for people with complex health needs through NHS Continuing Healthcare.
Is my house counted when I am getting care at home?
The NHS says property affects eligibility only if you are moving into a care home, so it is not counted for care at home.
Do I need a GP referral to arrange care?
No. You can contact us directly, or self-refer to your council for a care needs assessment.
Can the NHS pay for care at home?
Yes, for some people with long-term complex health needs, through NHS Continuing Healthcare. It depends on your assessed needs, not on a particular diagnosis.
