Examples: how much people pay for care homes

His care costs

Michael's care fees cost £694 per week. 

What he pays

To pay for his care, Michael's income includes: 

• state pension of £209.67 per week
• private pension of £25.81 per week

Total income: £235.48 per week 

Michael does not have to use all of his income to pay for care because he can keep back: 

• personal expenses allowance of £30.15 per week

£235.48 income − £30.15 personal allowance = £205.33

Michael can afford to pay a total of £205.33 per week. 

What the council pays

After Michael pays £205.33, there is still £488.67 of his care costs left to pay per week. This is what the council pays. 

Find out more about how we look at your money in a financial assessment. 

Her care costs

Grace's care fees cost £854 per week. 

What she pays

Grace has £18,436 in savings. This is more than £14,250, but less than £23,250, so she qualifies for help to pay. 

Each week she must put some of this money towards her care costs until her savings fall below £14,250. This weekly amount from her savings is called a tariff income. 

To pay for her care, Grace's income includes: 

• state pension of £229.64 per week
• private pension of £45.09 per week
• tariff income (from savings) of £17 per week

Total income: £291.73 per week 

Grace does not have to use all of her income to pay for care because she can keep back: 

• personal expenses allowance of £30.15 per week

£291.73 income − £30.15 personal allowance = £261.58

Grace can afford to pay a total of £261.58 per week. 

What the council pays

After Grace pays £261.58, there is still £592.42 of her care costs left to pay per week. This is what the council pays. 

Find out more about how we look at your money in a financial assessment.