Paying for care at home

Attendance Allowance

A weekly payment for people over State Pension age who need help with personal care, or someone around to keep them safe. Savings, income and property make no difference.

• £76.70 a week

  When help is needed during the day or the night.

• £114.60 a week

  When help is needed day and night, or someone is terminally ill.

• No diagnosis needed

  But needs must usually have lasted six months, unless someone is nearing the end of life.

• Nights count

  Toilet trips, being checked on and settling after waking all count. The higher rate is worth £1,970.80 a year more.

• Spent on anything

  It’s paid every four weeks, and can be used however they choose.

• Phone for the form

  If it’s back within six weeks, payment counts from the day you rang.

• Under State Pension age?

  The equivalent is the daily living part of Personal Independence Payment (PIP), at the same two rates.

The Council Tax discount

Someone with severe, permanent problems with memory and thinking, from dementia, a stroke or Parkinson’s for example, can be left out of the Council Tax count. It isn’t means-tested.

• Lives alone

  The bill goes to £0.

• Lives with one other adult

  The bill drops by 25%.

• Lives with two or more adults

  No discount, as two adults are still counted.

• Everyone else is also left out

  For example a live-in carer: the bill drops by 50%.

• What you need

  A certificate from a doctor, usually the GP, and a qualifying benefit, normally Attendance Allowance.

• Ask for it to be dated from the start

  From when the condition began, not the day it’s signed. Refunds can then go back years.

The needs assessment

It’s free, a legal right under the Care Act 2014, and savings can’t stop you having one. A social worker or occupational therapist talks with you, at home or by phone. Anyone can ask, including family. Someone usually qualifies when:

1. 1

   The needs come from a condition

   Physical or mental. No diagnosis is needed.

2. 2

   They can’t manage two or more everyday things

   Such as washing, eating, dressing, moving safely around the home or seeing family. “Can’t manage” includes managing only with significant pain, distress or risk, or taking much longer than normal.

3. 3

   That has a significant effect on their wellbeing

   Describe the need as it really is. The assessor shouldn’t count what family are already doing, and families often talk themselves out of support by explaining how well they’re coping.

The financial assessment

If the council agrees there are eligible needs, a separate assessment looks at savings and income. The limits for 2026/27 have been frozen since 2010.

• Over £23,250

  You pay the full cost of care yourself.

• £14,250 to £23,250

  You contribute about £1 a week for every £250 over £14,250, plus some of your income.

• Under £14,250

  Savings are ignored. You contribute from income only.

• Your home isn’t counted

  For care at home, the house you live in is left out. It only counts for a permanent move into a care home.

• A minimum income

  Over State Pension age, a single person must be left at least £241.45 a week after any charge.

• You can still choose

  Ask for your budget as a direct payment and choose who provides care. You can top up for more time.

After hospital, and the NHS

• Reablement: up to six weeks free

  Short-term support to get back on their feet after hospital, whatever their savings. It isn’t always offered, so ask.

• Get the discharge plan in writing

  Ask for the ward’s discharge coordinator, and find out who follows up.

• NHS Continuing Healthcare

  When needs are mainly health needs, the NHS pays for all of their care. It isn’t means-tested.

• The checklist is set low on purpose

  Passing it means a full assessment, with a decision normally within 28 days. Needs that care keeps under control still count.

• Fast track at the end of life

  Care normally in place within 48 hours.

• Don’t sign on the day of discharge

  Avoid agreeing a long-term care contract until needs are clear.

• Free advice on Continuing Healthcare

  The charity Beacon (beaconchc.co.uk) can help with the process.

Help for you, too

If you look after someone, you have rights of your own, separate from theirs.

• A carer’s assessment

  Free from the council. You don’t need to live with them or be related. It can lead to a budget for a break.

• Carer’s Allowance: £86.45 a week

  For 35 hours or more of care a week. It comes with National Insurance credits.

• Earnings limit: £204 a week

  After deductions. A penny over loses that week’s payment.

• Check the whole household first

  It can reduce the Pension Credit of the person you care for, and over State Pension age it overlaps with your pension.

Other help worth checking

In Cheshire East, ask Cheshire East Council. For Buxton and Whaley Bridge, ask High Peak Borough Council or Derbyshire County Council. For Leek and Biddulph, ask Staffordshire Moorlands or Staffordshire County Council.

• Pension Credit

  Tops up a low income and opens the door to other help. Attendance Allowance can increase it.

• Blue Badge

  Parking closer to where you need to be, including for some hidden conditions.

• Free equipment

  Councils can’t charge for minor aids and adaptations costing less than £1,000, such as grab rails.

• Disabled Facilities Grant

  Up to £30,000 for bigger changes such as a stairlift or level-access shower. Means-tested.

• Priority Services Register

  Free extra help from energy and water suppliers, including during a power cut.

• Home fire safety visit

  A free visit from the fire service to check alarms and risks at home.

Local help with money and forms

Benefits and form help, financial planners and later-life solicitors near them.

Help is a phone call away

• Cheshire East CouncilAdult social care and assessments0300 123 5010
• Call DerbyshireBuxton and Whaley Bridge01629 533190
• Staffordshire CaresLeek and Biddulph0300 111 8010
• Age UK CheshireBenefits checks and forms01625 612958
• Citizens Advice Cheshire EastBenefits and money advice0808 812 6186
• Age UK Advice Line8am to 7pm, every day0800 678 1602
• Carers UKAdvice for family carers0808 808 7777
• A Fingerpost navigatorLeave your details and we’ll call you, freeAsk for a call back