Paying for care

Non-residential care costs

You can find the charges for Care and Support charges (including Self-Directed Support) in the Table of Charges leaflet.

Charging Thresholds

There is a level of weekly income below which someone cannot be asked to pay care charges. These are known as Charging Thresholds.  If your assessable weekly income is less than your charging threshold figure you should not be charged for a financially assessed service.

If your assessable weekly income is more than your charging threshold figure you may be charged for a service.

70% of the difference between a person’s (or a couple’s) assessed income and the charging threshold will be the maximum charge for the chargeable services

Charging Thresholds in 2022/23 are:

Single person under pension qualifying age       £142

Couple under pension qualifying age       £216

Single person over pension qualifying age         £229

Couples over pension qualifying age       £349

Some people are exempt

The following people cannot be charged for care services (excluding Meals on Wheels, Day Care Meals and Community Alarm):

  • People who are terminally ill
  • People with a mental illness who are subject to a Compulsory Treatment Order

Charges that will be assessed and calculated

The services you receive will always be based on your needs and the charge for financially assessed services will be based on your ability to pay.

When we assess your income to see how much you can pay, this is known as a financial assessment.

A financial assessment will be carried out if you receive a chargeable service.

Day Care Meal Charge, Meals on Wheels and Community Alarm Response Service are fixed and not included as part of the financial assessment.

Further information can be found in our Frequently Asked Questions - Charging for Non-Residential Care leaflet.