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Care funding

Local Authority Care Funding: How to Apply (2026)

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Claire Saltwater23 August 2026
How to apply for local authority care funding — the assessment steps for 2026.

Council funding for care isn't automatic — you apply for it through your local authority's adult social services. The process is free, and it starts with two separate assessments.

The application, step by step

From first call to funded care 1 Contact council Ask adult socialservices to assess 2 Needs assessment What care andsupport you need 3 Financial assessment What you can affordto pay 4 Care & support plan A personal budget isagreed
Anyone can request a needs assessment, regardless of income.

Two different assessments — don't confuse them

Needs vs financial assessment Needs assessment• Looks at the care you need• Not about money at all• Everyone is entitled to one• Leads to a support plan Financial assessment• Looks at what you can pay• Uses the means-test thresholds• Decides your contribution• Can be done at the same time
You can have a needs assessment even if you’ll clearly self-fund.

What the money picture looks like

Your contribution is set by the same capital thresholds as the means test:

What you’ll be asked to contribute Council may fund mostYou contributeYou pay in full £14,250 £23,250Under £14,250: savings aren’t counted (you still contribute from income).£14,250–£23,250: a "tariff income" of about £1/week for every £250 of savings.Over £23,250: you’re a self-funder and meet the full cost yourself.England, 2026. Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland use different thresholds.
Below £14,250 in savings, the council funds the most; above £23,250 you self-fund.
If you lack the capacity to manage the process, a relative with Lasting Power of Attorney can apply and manage the finances on your behalf.
💬 Compare care homes and guide prices near you. Search the AskBart directory to see homes, CQC ratings and costs in your area — or ask Bart for help finding the right one.

Frequently asked questions

How long does it take?

It varies by council, so apply early — ideally before care is urgently needed or before savings near the £23,250 limit.

Can I get help arranging care even if I self-fund?

Yes. Councils must provide information and can arrange care for self-funders in England, sometimes for a small fee.

CS

Claire Saltwater

Editor · AskBart

Claire Saltwater is AskBart's Editor and a care-home industry veteran. One of AskBart's earliest team members, she has spent years working in and around social care — so she understands first-hand the difficult, often overwhelming decisions families face when choosing a care home. Claire writes and edits AskBart's advice guides with one goal: clear, genuinely independent information, free of jargon and sales pressure. Away from her desk she loves a good farmers' market and time with her two young children.

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