Examples: how much people pay for care homes

His care costs

Michael's care fees cost £718 per week.

What he pays

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

• state pension of £218.27 per week
• private pension of £26.87 per week

Total income: £245.14 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 £30.65 per week

£245.14 income − £30.65 personal allowance = £214.49

Michael can afford to pay a total of £214.49 per week.

What the council pays

After Michael pays £214.49, there is still £503.51 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 £884 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 £239.06 per week
• private pension of £46.94 per week
• tariff income (from savings) of £17 per week

Total income: £303.00 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 £30.65 per week

£303.00 income − £30.65 personal allowance = £272.35

Grace can afford to pay a total of £272.35 per week.

What the council pays

After Grace pays £272.35, there is still £611.65 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.