Paying for Care at Home
We care for your loved one as if they were our own family. We’re your extended team—you don’t have to do this alone.
When you’re exploring support at home for a parent or partner, the biggest question is often: how will we pay for it? This guide explains the main ways home care is funded in England and how Helping at Home can support you through each step—so you can focus on dignity, safety, and joy in daily living.
1) First steps: assessments that unlock support
Care needs assessment (Local Authority)
This free assessment looks at what day‑to‑day support would help. It’s the doorway to many types of funding and doesn’t depend on your savings. We can guide you on what to expect and how to prepare.
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Financial assessment (means test)
If you’re likely to need council help with costs, a financial assessment works out what you pay and what the council contributes. It considers income and savings, but your home’s value is generally not counted for care provided at home. The council must also leave you with a protected minimum income for everyday living.
NHS Continuing Healthcare (CHC)
If your primary need is health‑related (for example complex, ongoing medical needs), you may be eligible for NHS‑funded care at home. We can help you understand the process and work alongside the NHS if you qualify.
2) Main ways to pay for home care
Self‑funding (paying privately)
Many families pay privately, especially while assessments are underway. Self‑funding gives you full choice and control, and you can still ask the council for advice and a needs assessment. If your situation changes, we’ll help you explore funding.
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Helpful tip: Consider whether any state benefits apply (see Section 3). These are separate from the means test and can reduce the out‑of‑pocket cost of care.
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Local Authority funding (means‑tested)
If the council agrees you have eligible needs and your finances meet their criteria, they must detail a personal budget—the amount available to meet your care plan. You can:
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receive Direct Payments to arrange care yourself (we can set up a simple, transparent plan with you),
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ask the council to arrange services on your behalf, or
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choose an Individual Service Fund where a provider manages the budget to your instructions.
What you contribute: The council calculates your weekly contribution after allowing for essential living costs and any disability‑related expenses you have. We can help you prepare evidence for these.
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NHS Continuing Healthcare (fully funded)​
Where needs are primarily health‑related, the NHS may fund care in your own home. If you’re being assessed or already have CHC in place, our team can deliver safe, person‑centred support within your NHS care plan.
3) Benefits and other help that many families miss
These aren’t means‑tested and can sit alongside private or council‑funded care:
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Attendance Allowance (for people over State Pension age with personal‑care needs). Many families use this to offset home‑care costs.
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Personal Independence Payment (PIP) (for people under State Pension age with daily‑living or mobility needs).
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Carer’s Allowance (for an unpaid carer, subject to eligibility).
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Council Tax reductions/discounts (for severe mental impairment, single occupancy, or disabilities).
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Pension Credit may unlock additional help with bills and healthcare costs.
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We’ll happily signpost you to official guidance and trusted calculators, and - if you wish - liaise with family members to keep everyone updated every step of the way.
4) Local Authority Direct Payments made simple
If you qualify for council funding, Direct Payments can be paid to you (or an authorised person) to arrange care yourself. Families often choose this for flexibility and continuity with us:
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We agree a clear support plan and schedule that fits around routines and appointments.
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You get transparent invoices that align with your personal budget.
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Our small, consistent team means familiar faces and reliable cover.
We’re experienced in working with Local Authority Direct Payments teams and can help with the paperwork.
5) Is the home value relevant with home care?
For care at home, your property’s value is typically not included in the means test.
f you ever consider a move into residential care, different property rules apply - speak to us and we’ll signpost independent guidance so you can make an informed choice.
6) Sensible ways to plan for home care (without taking risks)
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List your support priorities
What matters most—safety overnight, medication, meal prep, meaningful companionship, or all of the above? We’ll build your plan around these outcomes.
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Start small, adjust gently
​Begin with the essentials and add visits when needed. Consistency matters, so you’ll see familiar faces.
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Check benefits and entitlements
​Even a small award can make a big difference to weekly costs.
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Stay quality‑aware
​Only use CQC‑regulated providers. Helping at Home is CQC‑regulated and rated Good.
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Independent financial advice
​We don’t give financial advice, but we can signpost you to reputable, specialist later‑life advisers if you’re considering options like equity release.
7) Why do families choose Helping at Home?
We’re a family‑owned, local business - big enough to cover reliably, small enough to know you well.
You’ll have a named contact and a consistent team. Our leadership team - Courtney Pike (Care Manager), Megan Williams (Deputy Manager) and Charlotte Offord (Team Leader) - oversee training, supervision and quality audits so you can trust the support you receive.
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CQC‑regulated with a Good rating.
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Safer recruitment: full background checks and references.
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Ongoing training and spot checks.
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Clear communication: we’ll keep you updated every step of the way.
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Flexible packages: from short pop‑ins to 24/7 live‑in.
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Our promise: We focus on dignity, safety, and joy in daily living—always.
8) Frequently asked questions
Do we need assessments if we plan to pay privately?
A needs assessment is still useful—it maps out what support would help, and can be important if your situation changes later.
Will care reduce Mum’s independence?
Good care enables independence. We plan around what your loved one can do, safely supporting the rest.
Can we use council funding with Helping at Home?
Yes. Many families use Direct Payments or an Individual Service Fund and choose us for continuity and quality.
Is there a long contract?
No. We’ll agree a simple service agreement with transparent pricing and notice periods.
What about nights and emergencies?
We provide planned night support and rapid, short‑term packages after hospital discharge—talk to us about what you need.
9) How we’ll help you get started
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Friendly call with our team to understand what’s happening now.
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Home visit - we design a tailored plan together.
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Flexible start - begin with a small package and build up if needed.
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Regular reviews - ensuring care stays in step with changing needs.