When I first started Everyday Care Plus, one of the most common questions families asked me wasn't about the quality of care or our services – it was simply, "How can we afford this?" It's a question that comes from a place of love and concern, and it's one I completely understand. After supporting hundreds of families across Sandwell and Dudley over the years, I've learned that while funding home care can seem complex, there are more options available than most people realize.
The key is understanding what's available, knowing how to access it, and making informed decisions that work for your family's unique situation. This guide will walk you through every funding option, from government support to private arrangements, helping you navigate the system with confidence.
Greg's Personal Insight
"I've seen families struggle unnecessarily because they didn't know about funding options that could have helped them. My advice? Start exploring your options early, before you're in crisis. There's often more support available than you think, and understanding your choices gives you power and peace of mind."
Understanding the Home Care Funding Landscape in 2025
The home care funding system in England has evolved significantly over recent years, with new initiatives and changes to existing programs. For families in Sandwell, Dudley, and the broader West Midlands, this means more options but also more complexity to navigate.
Funding for home care typically comes from four main sources: local authority support, NHS funding, private payment, and charitable or grant funding. Each has its own eligibility criteria, application processes, and benefits. The good news is that many families qualify for some form of support, even if they don't initially think they do.
The Current State of Care Funding
In 2025, we're seeing increased recognition of the importance of supporting people to remain in their own homes. Government initiatives are focusing more on preventive care and early intervention, which often means better funding opportunities for home care services compared to residential care.
However, demand continues to outstrip supply in many areas, and funding criteria can be strict. This is why it's crucial to understand all your options and apply for support as early as possible in your care journey.
Professional guidance can help families navigate the complex funding landscape and identify all available support options.
Local Authority Funding: Your First Port of Call
Local authority funding through Sandwell Council or Dudley Council is often the first option families explore, and for good reason. If you're eligible, this can provide significant financial support for your home care needs.
The Care Act Assessment Process
Under the Care Act 2014, local authorities have a duty to assess anyone who appears to need care and support. This assessment is free and looks at your ability to carry out daily activities, your wellbeing, and the outcomes you want to achieve.
The assessment considers ten key areas: managing and maintaining nutrition, maintaining personal hygiene, managing toilet needs, being appropriately clothed, being able to make use of your home safely, maintaining a habitable home environment, developing and maintaining family relationships, accessing and engaging in work or education, making use of necessary facilities in the local community, and carrying out caring responsibilities for a child.
If you have substantial or critical needs in any of these areas, you're likely to be eligible for local authority support. However, even if you don't meet these criteria initially, circumstances can change, and it's worth requesting a reassessment if your needs increase.
Financial Assessment and Contributions
If you're eligible for care support, the local authority will conduct a financial assessment to determine how much you should contribute toward your care costs. This assessment looks at your income, savings, and capital, but there are important protections in place.
For 2025, if you have savings and capital of less than £14,250, you won't be asked to contribute anything toward your care costs. If you have between £14,250 and £23,250, you'll be asked to contribute £1 per week for every £250 above the lower threshold. If you have more than £23,250, you'll be asked to pay the full cost of your care, though the local authority should still arrange it for you.
Your home is usually disregarded in this assessment if you're receiving care there, and there are other disregards for certain types of income and capital. The assessment should also take into account your reasonable living expenses.
NHS Continuing Healthcare: Comprehensive Health Funding
NHS Continuing Healthcare (CHC) is perhaps the least understood but potentially most valuable funding option available. It provides full funding for all your health and social care needs if you have a 'primary health need.'
Understanding Primary Health Need
A primary health need exists when your care requirements are mainly health-related rather than social care needs. This doesn't mean you need to be in hospital – many people with complex conditions like advanced dementia, multiple sclerosis, or severe learning disabilities may qualify for CHC while living at home.
The assessment looks at the nature, complexity, intensity, and unpredictability of your health needs. If these are beyond what local authority social services would normally be expected to meet, you may qualify for full NHS funding.
The CHC Assessment Process
The CHC assessment process involves several stages. First, there's a checklist to determine if you should have a full assessment. If you pass this initial screening, a multidisciplinary team will conduct a comprehensive assessment using the Decision Support Tool.
This assessment can take several weeks or even months, but if you're found eligible, the funding is usually backdated to when you first met the criteria. This can result in significant refunds if you've been paying for care privately.
Many families don't realize they might be eligible for CHC, or they're put off by the complexity of the process. However, it's worth pursuing if you have significant health needs, as the financial benefits can be substantial.
Important Note
If you're refused CHC funding, you have the right to request an independent review. Many initial refusals are overturned on appeal, so don't give up if you believe you should be eligible.
Direct Payments: Taking Control of Your Care
Direct Payments represent a significant shift toward person-centered care, giving you control over how your care funding is used. Instead of receiving services arranged by the local authority, you receive money to purchase your own care and support.
How Direct Payments Work
If you're eligible for local authority support, you can usually choose to receive some or all of your funding as a Direct Payment. This money must be used to meet the care needs identified in your care plan, but you have flexibility in how you do this.
You can use Direct Payments to employ personal assistants directly, purchase services from care agencies like Everyday Care Plus, buy equipment or adaptations, or even pay family members to provide care (with some restrictions).
The amount you receive will be based on your assessed needs and the local authority's usual costs for meeting those needs. You'll still be subject to the same financial assessment as for traditional services, so you may need to contribute toward the costs.
Benefits and Responsibilities
Direct Payments offer significant benefits: you choose who provides your care, when they provide it, and how. This can lead to more consistent, personalized care that better meets your needs and preferences.
However, with this control comes responsibility. You become an employer if you hire personal assistants directly, which means dealing with payroll, insurance, and employment law. You'll also need to keep detailed records of how the money is spent and demonstrate that it's meeting your care needs.
Many people find the administrative burden challenging, but there are support services available to help, including payroll services and Direct Payment support organizations.
NHS-Funded Nursing Care and Other Health Funding
Even if you don't qualify for full CHC funding, there are other NHS funding streams that might help with your care costs.
NHS-Funded Nursing Care
If you need nursing care at home and don't qualify for CHC, you might be eligible for NHS-Funded Nursing Care. This provides funding specifically for the nursing component of your care, currently set at £209.19 per week for 2025.
This funding is available regardless of your financial circumstances and is paid directly to your care provider. It's designed to cover the cost of nursing care provided by a registered nurse, not personal care or accommodation costs.
Section 117 Aftercare
If you've been detained under certain sections of the Mental Health Act, you're entitled to free aftercare services under Section 117. This can include home care services and is not subject to charging, regardless of your financial circumstances.
Section 117 aftercare continues until the responsible authorities are satisfied that you no longer need these services. This can provide significant long-term support for people with mental health conditions.
NHS-funded nursing care can provide essential health support at home, helping people maintain independence while receiving professional medical care.
Private Funding Options: When You're Self-Funding
Many families find themselves in the position of needing to fund care privately, either because they don't meet eligibility criteria for public funding or because they want more choice and control over their care arrangements.
Understanding Private Care Costs
Private home care costs vary significantly depending on the level of care needed, the time of day services are provided, and the specific care provider. In the Sandwell and Dudley area, you can expect to pay between £18-£25 per hour for standard home care services, with specialist care or overnight services costing more.
At Everyday Care Plus, we believe in transparent pricing. Our rates reflect the quality of care we provide, the training and support we give our care workers, and our commitment to paying fair wages. We're always happy to provide detailed quotes and explain exactly what's included in our services.
Making Private Care More Affordable
Even when self-funding, there are ways to make care more affordable. Consider starting with fewer hours and building up as needs increase. Focus on the most essential care tasks first, and look at how family and friends might be able to help with other activities.
Some families find it helpful to use a combination of private care and family support, with professional carers handling the more complex or physically demanding tasks while family members provide companionship and lighter support.
It's also worth exploring whether you might become eligible for public funding in the future as your needs change, and keeping detailed records of your care costs in case you need to apply for retrospective funding.
Insurance and Protection Products
While not common in the UK, some insurance products can help with care costs, and it's worth understanding what might be available.
Immediate Needs Annuities
If you have capital but limited income, an immediate needs annuity might be worth considering. You pay a lump sum to an insurance company, and they guarantee to pay your care fees for life. This can provide peace of mind and protect against the risk of care costs increasing over time.
However, these products are complex and not suitable for everyone. It's essential to get independent financial advice before considering this option.
Deferred Payment Agreements
If you own your home but don't have sufficient income or savings to pay for care, you might be able to enter into a Deferred Payment Agreement with your local authority. This allows you to defer paying care costs until after your death, when they're recovered from your estate.
There are eligibility criteria and costs associated with these agreements, but they can be a valuable option for people who are asset-rich but income-poor.
Charitable Funding and Grants
There are numerous charitable organizations that provide grants for care costs, though competition for funding can be intense and eligibility criteria are often specific.
National and Local Charities
Organizations like Turn2Us, the Family Fund, and various condition-specific charities offer grants for care costs. Local charities in Sandwell and Dudley may also provide support, particularly for people with connections to specific trades, professions, or communities.
These grants are usually one-off payments rather than ongoing funding, but they can provide crucial support during difficult periods or help with specific care-related expenses like equipment or home adaptations.
Benevolent Funds
If you or your spouse worked in certain professions or for specific employers, you might be eligible for support from benevolent funds. These exist for many professions, from teachers and nurses to engineers and retail workers.
Trade unions also sometimes have hardship funds that can help with care costs for members or their families.
Practical Tip
Keep detailed records of all care-related expenses, even if you're self-funding. This information can be valuable if you later apply for public funding or need to demonstrate care needs for insurance or benefit claims.
Planning Ahead: Financial Planning for Care
The best time to think about funding care is before you need it. While it's impossible to predict exactly what care needs you might have, some forward planning can make a significant difference to your options and peace of mind.
Building Care Costs into Retirement Planning
Financial advisors increasingly recommend factoring potential care costs into retirement planning. This might involve saving additional money in pensions or ISAs, considering insurance products, or making decisions about housing that could affect future care funding.
Some people choose to downsize their homes to release capital that could be used for care costs, while others prefer to stay in larger homes that could accommodate live-in care if needed.
Legal and Financial Protections
It's important to understand that there are strict rules about deliberately disposing of assets to avoid care charges. This is called 'deprivation of assets,' and local authorities have powers to recover care costs if they believe you've deliberately reduced your wealth to avoid paying for care.
However, legitimate financial planning and gifts made for reasons other than avoiding care charges are generally acceptable. If you're considering significant financial decisions, it's worth getting professional advice to ensure you don't inadvertently create problems for the future.
Navigating the System: Practical Steps
Understanding the theory of care funding is one thing; navigating the actual system is another. Here are some practical steps to help you access the funding you're entitled to.
Starting the Process
Begin by contacting your local authority's adult social care team. In Sandwell, this is Sandwell Council's Adult Social Care department, and in Dudley, it's Dudley Council's Adult Social Care team. They can arrange a care needs assessment and financial assessment.
Don't wait until you're in crisis to make this contact. Early assessment can identify support options and give you time to plan properly. Even if you don't currently meet eligibility criteria, having an assessment on record can speed up the process if your needs change.
Preparing for Assessments
Before any assessment, gather relevant information about your health conditions, current difficulties, and care needs. Keep a diary for a week or two noting what tasks you struggle with and when you need help.
Prepare a list of questions about funding options and don't be afraid to ask for clarification if you don't understand something. The assessment process can feel overwhelming, but remember that the assessors are there to help you access appropriate support.
Getting Support with Applications
You don't have to navigate the funding system alone. Organizations like Age UK, Carers UK, and local advocacy services can provide support with applications and appeals. Some solicitors specialize in care funding and can provide expert advice, particularly for complex cases.
At Everyday Care Plus, we're always happy to share our experience and knowledge to help families understand their options. While we can't provide financial advice, we can explain how different funding streams work in practice and what to expect from the process.
Common Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them
Over the years, I've seen families make some common mistakes when it comes to care funding. Understanding these pitfalls can help you avoid them.
Assuming You Won't Qualify
Many families assume they won't qualify for any public funding, particularly if they own their own home or have some savings. However, eligibility criteria are complex, and you might qualify for more support than you think.
Even if you don't qualify for full funding, you might be eligible for partial support, equipment, or other services that can reduce your overall care costs.
Not Appealing Decisions
If you're refused funding or offered less support than you think you need, you have the right to appeal. Many initial decisions are overturned on appeal, particularly for CHC funding.
Don't be put off by the appeals process – it's there to ensure fair decisions are made, and you can get support to help you through it.
Not Reviewing Funding Regularly
Care needs change over time, and funding arrangements should be reviewed regularly to ensure they still meet your needs. If your condition deteriorates or your circumstances change, you may become eligible for additional support.
Don't assume that an initial funding decision is permanent – circumstances change, and so can your entitlement to support.
Greg's Final Thoughts
"Funding care can feel like a maze, but remember that there are people and organizations whose job it is to help you navigate it. Don't struggle alone – reach out for support, ask questions, and advocate for yourself and your family. The right funding can make the difference between struggling with care costs and having peace of mind to focus on what really matters: spending quality time with your loved ones."
Looking Forward: Changes on the Horizon
The care funding landscape continues to evolve, with ongoing discussions about social care reform and how to make the system more sustainable and fair. While we can't predict exactly what changes might come, staying informed about developments can help you make better decisions about your care planning.
What remains constant is the importance of understanding your options, planning ahead where possible, and seeking support when you need it. The system may be complex, but with the right information and support, you can navigate it successfully.
Remember, funding care isn't just about money – it's about ensuring you or your loved one can receive the support you need to live with dignity, independence, and quality of life. That's what drives everything we do at Everyday Care Plus, and it's why we're committed to helping families understand and access all the support available to them.
Need Help Understanding Your Funding Options?
Navigating care funding can be complex, but you don't have to do it alone. Our experienced team at Everyday Care Plus can help you understand your options and connect you with the right support services in Sandwell and Dudley.