Funding & Planning Your Care

Understanding Your Care Options and How to Fund Them

When it comes to arranging care for yourself or a loved one, knowing where to begin can feel overwhelming. At Support at Home, we’re here to make the process easier.


Our goal is to help you make an informed decision about care, whether it’s short-term support, ongoing complex care, or palliative care, by giving you clear information on the different funding options available across the UK.

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Quality care should never be out of reach — we’re here to help you find the right support for your needs and your budget

Depending on your individual circumstances, you may be eligible for financial support such as:

  • Carer’s Allowance

  • Attendance Allowance

  • Social Services Funding

  • Personal Health Budgets

  • NHS Continuing Healthcare Funding

Below, we’ve summarised each option to help you understand what support may be available and how to access it.

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Carer’s Allowance

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Suitable for: People who care for a loved one full-time

If you provide regular care for someone at least 35 hours a week, you could receive Carer’s Allowance, currently up to £83.30 per week (as of April 2025).
You don’t need to live with the person you care for, but only one person can claim for each individual being cared for.

To qualify, you must:

  • Be aged 16 or over

  • Spend 35+ hours per week caring for someone receiving qualifying benefits

  • Earn £196 a week or less (after deductions)

  • Not be in full-time education (over 21 hours per week)

Carer’s Allowance is a taxable benefit, and while it may affect other benefits, it can help ease the financial pressure of caring for a loved one. You’ll also automatically receive National Insurance credits, which count towards your State Pension.

For more details, visit gov.uk/carers-allowance.

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Attendance Allowance

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Suitable for: People aged 65+ who need help with daily living

Attendance Allowance provides tax-free support for older adults who need help with personal care due to a physical or mental health condition. It’s not means-tested, so your income or savings won’t affect eligibility.

There are two rates:

  • £73.90 per week for those needing help during the day or night

  • £110.40 per week for those needing help both day and night or who are terminally ill

You don’t need a carer to claim this allowance, it’s designed to help with the extra costs of care.

Learn more at gov.uk/attendance-allowance.

Social Services Funding

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Suitable for: People with limited savings

If your savings are below £23,250, you may be eligible for help from your local authority. After a Community Care Assessment, your council can arrange a care package or provide Direct Payments so you can choose your own care provider, giving you flexibility and control.

Many people choose to “top up” council funding to ensure a high-quality, personalised service that fits their needs.

You can find out more about local support and assessments via the NHS social care and support guide.

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Personal Health Budgets

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Suitable for: Anyone with ongoing health and wellbeing needs

A Personal Health Budget gives you control over how your NHS care is arranged. The funding can be managed:

  • By you (as Direct Payments)

  • By the NHS

  • Or by a third party on your behalf

These budgets are fully funded by the NHS and designed to give you more flexibility in choosing services that meet your specific needs and preferences.

Find out more on nhs.uk/personal-health-budgets.

NHS Continuing Healthcare

Suitable for: People with long-term, complex health needs

If you require ongoing healthcare due to illness, disability, or injury, you may qualify for NHS Continuing Healthcare, which covers the full cost of your care, whether at home or in a care setting.

Eligibility is determined through an assessment by health and social care professionals. If your condition changes, you can request a reassessment at any time.

More details are available at nhs.uk/continuing-healthcare.

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We’re Here to Help

If you’re unsure which funding route is right for you, our friendly team can guide you through the process and help you understand your options. We believe care decisions should be made with confidence, clarity, and compassion.

Contact us today to discuss how we can support you or your loved one.

0151 486 8494