Paying care home fees

Paying care home fees

If you're entering a care home, you'll have to make some contribution towards the fees. The amount of contribution you have to make depends upon several things, such as how much capital you have and the care home you choose.

If you’re entering a care home, you must pay towards the fees.

The amount you pay depends on several things, including how much capital you have and the care home you choose.

If you move into a care home, you need to have an assessment of your care needs – even if you’ve had one while living at home. This will include a financial assessment to decide how much – if anything – you should be charged.

Find out more about your home and savings, including:

• help with care home fees if you have savings
• what happens to your home if you need to live in a care home
• if you will need to sell your home
• if your home counts as part of your capital
• if you’re giving your house to a relative
• if you can postpone selling your home to pay care home fees

Learn more about care home fees, including:

• different care home contracts
• what rates you will be charged when living in a care home
• what income is counted when your rates are being calculated
• if your relatives will be charged for your care home fees
• if you can keep some income for personal expenses
• if you choose a care home that charges more than your council will pay

Further information

If you would like personal advice, you can ask an independent adviser from:

• Advice Direct Scotland – phone 0808 800 9060, 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday.
• Citizens Advice Scotland – find contact details for your local bureau
• Age Scotland – their fact sheets have information on paying for care homes, or phone their helpline on 0800 12 44 222.