Finding and Paying for a Care Home

Leaving your home and familiar surroundings to move into a care home is a big step. It is important to consider your choices carefully before making a decision about where to move.

Assets: disadvantages of giving your capital away (factsheet 3)

This factsheet looks at the possible disadvantages of giving away or transferring your capital in order to avoid care home fees. By giving away your capital you may find yourself liable for capital gains tax, inheritance tax, pre-owned assets tax and still be liable for the care home fees.

Care Home Fees: Third party top ups in Wales (guide 73)

This guide explains how councils in Wales set standard rates for how much they are prepared to pay for a care home placement. It looks at the circumstances when the council should increase its standard rate and when a third party may have to pay a top-up fee to keep you in the care home you have chosen.

Care Homes - what to look for (guide 19)

This guide aims to help you make an informed decision about the care home you would like to live in.

Care home fees - paying them in England (guide 16)

This guide explains the system of funding for people who need to live in a care home in England, whether they are able, or unable to pay their own fees.

Care home fees - paying them in Scotland (guide 52)

Living in a care home can be very costly. Although some people are able to pay their own fees, many need financial support to meet the cost of their care.This guide explains the system of funding for people who need to live in a care home in Scotland.

Care home fees - paying them in Wales (guide 72)

This guide explains the system of funding for people who need to live in a care home in Wales, whether they are able or unable to pay their own fees.

Care home fees - third party top ups in England (guide 17)

This guide explains how councils in England set standard rates for how much they are prepared to pay for a care home placement. It looks at the circumstances when the council should increase its standard rate to enable you to live in the care home of your choice and when a third party, such as a relative or friend, may have to pay a ‘top up' fee.

Care home fees - third party top ups in Scotland (guide 53)

This guide explains how councils in Scotland set standard rates for how much they are prepared to pay for a care home placement. It looks at the circumstances when the council should increase its standard rate to enable you to live in the care home of your choice and when a third party, such as a relative or friend, may have to pay a ‘top up' fee.

Choosing not to sell your property to pay for your care (factsheet 9)

This factsheet provides information on deferred payment agreements for those choosing not to sell their property to pay for their care. It discusses their advantages, disadvantages and who can apply.

Choosing to sell your property to pay for care (factsheet 8)

This factsheets provides information for people wishing to sell their property to pay for their care on schemes such as bridging loans, deferred payments schemes and the 12 week property disregard period.

Valuing beneficial interest 'right to buy' (factsheet 6)

This factsheet explains how properties bought under the 'right to buy' scheme in which you have a beneficial interest or ownership of, are valued in the care home financial assessment.

Valuing beneficial interest - no nil value (factsheet 7)

This factsheet explains under what circumstances a 'nil value' should be attributed to a property in which you have a beneficial interest or ownership of, during the care home financial assessment.

Valuing beneficial interest in property (factsheet 5)

This factsheet explains what beneficial interest is, how it is valued and where to find out further information.

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Counsel and Care is a service of Independent Age, registered Charity No. 210729

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