Paying for live-in care is one of the biggest worries families in Solihull raise when they first start looking into support for a loved one. The good news is there are more funding routes available than most people realise – it’s just a case of knowing what to check.
Local Authority Funding
Solihull Council can carry out a care needs assessment to establish what support someone requires, followed by a financial assessment (means test) to work out whether they qualify for help towards the cost. Support isn’t means-tested in the same way for everyone, so it’s worth requesting an assessment even if you assume you won’t qualify.
NHS Continuing Healthcare
For people with significant, ongoing health needs, NHS Continuing Healthcare can fund some or all of the cost of care, including live-in care, entirely free of a means test. Eligibility is based on health need rather than finances, and it’s an area many families don’t realise they should check.
Attendance Allowance and Personal Independence Payment
Attendance Allowance is a non-means-tested benefit for people over State Pension age who need help with personal care due to illness or disability. For younger adults, Personal Independence Payment (PIP) may apply instead. Neither directly covers the full cost of live-in care, but both can make a meaningful contribution.
Using Property or Savings (Self-Funding)
Some families choose to self-fund, whether from savings, pensions, or by releasing equity from a property. Unlike a care home, live-in care doesn’t require selling a family home to fund it, which is often a deciding factor for families who want a loved one to stay in familiar surroundings without giving up their house.
Getting Independent Financial Advice
Because funding rules can be complex and circumstances vary a lot from family to family, it’s worth speaking to a financial adviser who specialises in care funding, in addition to speaking with the local authority directly.
How We Can Help
Our funding options page breaks down these routes in more detail, and our pricing page gives you a clear sense of live-in care costs to plan around. If you’re based in Solihull and want to talk through what funding might be available for your family’s situation, get in touch with our live-in care team for a free, no-obligation conversation.