Care glossary · Paying for care
Upper capital limit: what it means
The savings level above which people in England usually pay the full cost of their care: £23,250.
Above £23,250 in savings and assets, the council does not usually contribute, though it must still assess needs and give advice if asked. The value of a home counts for care home fees unless it is disregarded.
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Terms often used alongside it
- Lower capital limit: The savings level below which savings are ignored in the means test: £14,250.
- Tariff income: An assumed weekly income of £1 for every £250 of savings between the lower and upper capital limits.
Questions about upper capital limit
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Choosing a care home: the 40-point checklist
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More in Paying for care
Self-funder · Care needs assessment · Financial assessment (means test) · Lower capital limit · Tariff income · Personal expenses allowance · Minimum income guarantee · Disability-related expenditure · 12-week property disregard · Deferred payment agreement · Third-party top-up · Personal budget · Direct payments · Deprivation of assets · Care cap
Register information from CQC as at Oct 2026; Open Government Licence v3.0 applies. We do not deliver care ourselves.