Easy Read
How much care costs and who pays
This guide uses short sentences and pictures. It is about care for adults in England.
Care can happen in your own home, or in a care home.
Care at home means a carer visits you. They can help you wash, dress, eat and take your medicine.
Care at home costs about £33.50 for each hour a carer is with you.
A care home is a place where you live and get care every day and every night.
A care home costs about £1,450 a week. A nursing home has nurses and costs about £1,690 a week.
Ask your council for a care needs assessment. It is free for everyone.
The council will talk to you about the help you need.
The council looks at how much money you have. This is called a financial assessment.
If you have more than £23,250 in savings, you usually pay for your own care. If you have less, the council helps to pay.
If you get care at home, the council does not count the value of your house.
Sometimes the NHS pays for all of your care. This is called NHS Continuing Healthcare.
It is for people whose needs are mostly health needs.
You might get money to help with care, even if you have savings.
If you are over pension age and need help, you may get Attendance Allowance: £76.70 or £114.60 a week.
Check how good a care service is. The CQC checks care services and gives them a rating.
Look for Good or Outstanding.
Get help
Find your council: search by your postcode or town.
Find care near you: home care or care homes.
Prices are typical prices in England from our Care Fees and Quality Index. Your price may be different.
Reviewed 20 October 2026 by The Care Panel editorial team · Next review April 2027 · Editorial policy
Data: CQC register, Oct 2026, used under the Open Government Licence v3.0. We are an independent directory and do not provide care.