How to Get Council Funding for Live-In Care in England

Choosing the right care for a loved one can feel overwhelming. Many families prefer live-in care over a care home or regular visiting care because it provides 24/7 support, companionship, and a level of personalisation that is hard to match. However, live-in care can be expensive, leaving many wondering: Can the council help pay for it? The answer is maybe—but the process isn’t always straightforward.

Understanding How Councils Fund Care

Local authorities in England have a legal duty to assess and support individuals who need care under the Care Act 2014. However, whether they will fund live-in care depends on:

1. A Care Needs Assessment – Your loved one must be assessed as needing full-time care.
2. A Financial Assessment – Their savings, assets, and income determine if they qualify for full or partial council funding.

1. The Care Needs Assessment: Proving Live-In Care Is Necessary

To get council funding for care, your loved one must first undergo a Care Needs Assessment, which evaluates whether they need assistance with daily activities like washing, dressing, medication, and mobility. You can request this assessment from your local council via their website or by calling their adult social care team.

If the assessment concludes that full-time care is required, the council usually considers care home or domiciliary (visiting) care first. However, if you strongly prefer live-in care, you must make a case for why a care home is not suitable. This could include:

• A strong emotional attachment to their home.
• A need for one-to-one care that care homes cannot provide.
• Dementia, where routine and familiarity are vital.
• Specific health or mobility needs that require 24/7 support.

Some councils are open to funding live-in care if it is a cost-effective alternative to a care home. Others may resist, requiring families to advocate strongly.

2. The Financial Assessment: Who Pays?

Once care needs are confirmed, a means test (financial assessment) determines whether your loved one must pay for their care.

• Savings and Assets Over ￡23,250 → No council funding; they must pay for their own care.
• Savings and Assets Between ￡14,250 - ￡23,250 → Some council contribution, with your loved one paying the rest.
• Savings and Assets Below ￡14,250 → The council covers care costs (but may take their income, such as pensions, into account).

?? What About the Family Home?

• If your loved one lives in their home and needs care there, the value of their home isn’t included in the means test.
• If they move into a care home, the council may count the home as an asset—unless a spouse or dependent still lives there.
• This means people seeking live-in care often have a better chance of keeping their home while still receiving some financial support.

Other Funding Options

If your loved one is not eligible for council funding, other options include:

? Personal Budgets & Direct Payments – If the council agrees to fund some care, they may give your loved one direct payments so they can arrange live-in care themselves.

? NHS Continuing Healthcare (CHC) – If your loved one has serious ongoing medical needs, the NHS may fully fund care (including live-in care). This is difficult to qualify for but is worth exploring.

? Top-Up Fees – If the council agrees to fund a care home but not live-in care, some families choose to pay the difference themselves.

? Equity Release or Savings – Some families self-fund care by accessing home equity, pensions, or family contributions.

Advocating for Live-In Care

If a care home or visiting care isn’t right for your loved one, be persistent. Councils often default to cheaper options, so families must push back and demonstrate why live-in care is the best solution.

?? Request a care needs review if circumstances change. ?? Highlight the benefits of one-to-one care and stability. ?? Seek professional advice—independent social workers or care advocacy services can help fight your case.

Final Thoughts: Can You Get Council Funding for Live-In Care?

Yes, but it depends on: ?? Proving that live-in care is essential and not just a preference. ?? Meeting the financial criteria for council support. ?? Exploring NHS funding if medical needs are significant.

Every family’s situation is unique, and securing funding can be complex. But with persistence and the right information, you may be able to get help covering the costs of high-quality, one-to-one live-in care for your loved one.

If you're not sure where to start, contact your local authority’s adult social care team or speak to a professional Quality Care Adviser for guidance.