Paying for adult care: an introduction

Unlike NHS services, social care and support for adults is not free.

You can:

arrange and pay for your own care without any input from the council
have a care needs assessment from the council and, if eligible, get us to arrange your care
have a financial assessment from the council and, if eligible, get financial support

Whether you can get financial support from the council will depend on the care you need and the money you have. You might:

need to pay the full cost of your care and support
need to pay a contribution to your care and support
not need to pay

Below, we've got a summary of the options that may be available to you when paying for care. Each section includes links to find further information.

Getting financial support from the council

If you would like support from the council, first we'll complete a care and support needs assessment. During this assessment, we will discuss what support you need in your day-to-day life. We will also work out if you're eligible for support from West Berkshire Council.

If you are eligible for support, we'll then complete a financial assessment. The financial assessment will help us work out how much you need to pay for your care. You can find out about the financial assessment and paying for council arranged care here.

If you do get financial support from the council, you may get a personal budget.

Paying the full cost of your own care

If the council arranges your care but you pay the full cost

Regardless of your finances, you can still ask the council for a care and support needs assessment, to look at how your care needs could be supported. You may be eligible to have your care and support arranged by the council.

However, depending on the care you need and the money you have, you may not be eligible for financial help. This would mean you would need to pay the full cost of your care. If we arrange your care but you need to pay the full cost, we will invoice you for your care. You may be charged an administration fee, depending on the type of care you get.

If you arrange your own care (self-funding)

If you arrange your own care, you will need to organise and pay for the care you get. You may want to arrange care at home, your own equipment or adaptations, or find a care home.

The NHS have:

Our West Berkshire Directory and the Icon for pdf Berkshire Care Directory [3MB] list service providers, including care at home and residential services. Even if we don't arrange your care, you can contact us for information and advice.

You can find out more about self-funding here.

When the NHS might pay

If you have complex long-term health needs, you may qualify for NHS Continuing Healthcare. This would mean your social care would be arranged and funded or part funded by the NHS. You can find out about NHS Continuing Healthcare here.

If you live in a nursing home, you may be eligible for an NHS-funded nursing care contribution.

Claiming benefits

Depending on your circumstances, you may be entitled to certain benefits. It can be hard to work out what you are entitled to, so it's a good idea to get advice and guidance.

Citizens Advice West Berkshire are impartial, and are able to offer free guidance about working out which benefits you can claim and how to apply for them.

You can also check what benefits you can claim using online calculators. Visit the GOV.UK benefits calculator webpage to find options, or see the Money Saving Expert website.

West Berkshire Council provides information about Benefits, including an online calculator for housing benefit.

Financial advice

We advise getting independent financial advice whether you self fund or get support from the council. You can find out how financial advisers can help you plan how to pay for your care on our 'planning how to pay for future care' page.

You can also find financial self-help guidance on the following websites:

Back to paying for your care