Can you get live-in care on the NHS? How funding works
Sometimes. The three ways live-in care is paid for in England, who qualifies for each, and where to start this week.
By the AnnMarie’s Care team
—5 min read
Short answer. Sometimes. The NHS pays the full cost of live-in care only if your relative qualifies for NHS Continuing Healthcare. Most people do not, so live-in care is usually paid privately, part-funded by the local council after a means test, or helped along by Attendance Allowance.
When a parent needs help at home, the first question most families ask is who pays. In England there are three main routes, and many families end up using more than one. Figures below are for England in the 2026/27 financial year.
1. NHS Continuing Healthcare (fully funded by the NHS)
NHS Continuing Healthcare, often shortened to CHC, is a package of care paid for entirely by the NHS. It is not means-tested, so savings and the family home make no difference. It can pay for care in your own home, including live-in care.
To qualify, a person must have a “primary health need”. That means most of the care they need is about managing health needs rather than help with everyday living. It depends on how complex, intense and unpredictable those needs are, not on a particular diagnosis.
The process usually runs like this:
- Checklist. A nurse, doctor or social worker completes a short screening tool. Ask your GP, district nurse, social worker or the hospital discharge team for one.
- Full assessment. A team of professionals gathers evidence about physical health, mental health and care needs, and completes the Decision Support Tool. You and your family can take part.
- Decision. Your local Integrated Care Board (ICB) makes the decision. It should normally do this within 28 days of the checklist.
If your relative is eligible, you can ask for a personal health budget, which gives the family more say over who provides the care.
NHS-funded nursing care is a different, smaller payment. It only applies to people living in a nursing home, so it does not help with live-in care.
2. Help from the local council
Anyone who appears to need care can ask their council for a free needs assessment under the Care Act 2014. If the council agrees there are eligible needs, it carries out a financial assessment to work out what your relative pays.
| Savings and capital | What happens (England, 2026/27) |
|---|---|
| Over £23,250 | Your relative pays the full cost of their care. |
| £14,250 to £23,250 | The council helps. Your relative contributes from income and from a tariff on savings above £14,250. |
| Under £14,250 | Savings are ignored. Your relative contributes from income only. |
Two points that often reassure families:
- When care is provided in your relative's own home, the value of the home is not counted.
- People over State Pension age keep at least £241.45 a week of income (the Minimum Income Guarantee for a single person) after paying towards their care.
Councils fund the care they assess as necessary, at their own rates. That may cover visiting carers rather than a full live-in package, so some families pay the difference themselves. The council can pay its share as a direct payment, which gives you more choice over who provides the care. Ask your council how a direct payment can be used before you commit to an arrangement.
3. Attendance Allowance (not means-tested)
Attendance Allowance is a benefit for people over State Pension age who need help with personal care. Income and savings do not affect it, and it can be spent on anything, including live-in care.
| Rate | Who it is for | Weekly amount 2026/27 |
|---|---|---|
| Lower | Help needed during the day or at night | £76.70 |
| Higher | Help needed during the day and at night, or terminally ill | £114.60 |
Many people who need live-in care qualify for the higher rate. It is one of the most under-claimed benefits, so it is worth applying even if you will be paying privately.
Paying privately
Most families arranging live-in care pay privately, often from savings, pensions and Attendance Allowance together. Before making large financial decisions, such as releasing equity from a home, speak to an independent adviser. The Society of Later Life Advisers (SOLLA) lists accredited advisers who specialise in care funding.
Where to start this week
- Apply for Attendance Allowance on GOV.UK if your relative does not already receive it.
- If health needs are complex, ask the GP or district nurse for a CHC checklist.
- Ask the council's adult social care team for a needs assessment.
- Speak to an independent adviser before selling or borrowing against the home.
Where we fit
We do not give financial advice, but we can explain what a live-in carer can and cannot help with, which makes funding assessments easier, and point you to the right people.
Figures checked October 2026 and correct for England in 2026/27. Sources: DHSC charging circular 2026/27; DWP benefit rates 2026/27; Age UK: NHS Continuing Healthcare.