How much does home care cost? – UK funding and fees 2026

2024-10-10

The cost of home care in the UK depends on your financial situation, the type of care you need and where you live. If your savings are below £23,250, the local council may fund your care. If you self-fund, the average cost is around £32 per hour for standard visiting care. Here we explain exactly what you might pay and how funding works.

Understanding the cost of home care is one of the most important steps when planning support for yourself or a loved one. The system in England involves a means test that determines whether the council contributes – and if so, how much.

The means test: the £23,250 capital threshold

If you have eligible care needs under the Care Act 2014, your local council will carry out a financial assessment. The key thresholds in England for 2026/27 are [1]:

Above £23,250 in capital (savings, investments – not your home): you must fund your own care in full
Between £14,250 and £23,250: you contribute a “tariff income” of £1 per week for every £250 above the lower limit, plus a share of your income
Below £14,250: your capital is disregarded; the council assesses only your income

Importantly, the value of your home is not included in the capital assessment for home care (only for residential care). These thresholds have been frozen since 2010.

What if the council funds my home care?

If you qualify for council-funded care, you keep a Minimum Income Guarantee (MIG) from your income – a protected amount to cover your daily living costs. The council uses the financial assessment to determine how much, if anything, you contribute towards your care from your income.

You can choose between the council arranging care for you or taking a direct payment – money paid to you so you can hire and manage your own carers.

What does home care cost if you self-fund?

If your capital is above £23,250 or you do not qualify for council funding, you arrange and pay for home care yourself. The Homecare Association sets a minimum recommended rate for home care providers in England to ensure carers are paid fairly. For 2025–2026, this rate is £32.14 per hour [2].

Typical self-funded home care costs:

Type of care	Typical hourly cost
Standard visiting care	£25–£40/hour
Dementia care	£28–£40/hour
Night care (sleeping)	£100–£200/night
Live-in care	£900–£1,600/week

Costs vary significantly by region – London and the South East are generally higher, while the North and Wales tend to be lower.

What does the council pay for, and what do you pay?

Even if the council funds your care, you may still contribute towards some elements. Personal care – help with washing, dressing and medication – is typically the core of what the council arranges. You generally pay separately for:

Meals and food delivery
Accommodation costs
Equipment beyond what the NHS provides

Attendance Allowance and other benefits

If you are over State Pension age and need help with personal care, you may be entitled to Attendance Allowance – a non-means-tested benefit of £72.65 or £108.55 per week (2025/26 rates) depending on your level of need. This money is yours to spend on care.

Personal alarm without home care – an affordable addition

Council-provided community alarms are often free or low-cost for eligible residents, but they work indoors only and have no GPS. A private personal alarm from Sensorem costs from €21.25/month (all included), works outdoors and can be ordered without a needs assessment – a practical supplement to home care.