About

Care Funding

NHS Continuing Healthcare

Some individuals with long-term, complex health needs may qualify for free care fully arranged and funded by the NHS, known as NHS Continuing Healthcare (CHC).

This care can be provided outside of hospital, for example, in your own home.

To determine eligibility, you’ll be assessed by a multidisciplinary team of healthcare professionals. Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) — NHS organisations responsible for commissioning local health services — are required to assess you if it appears you may be eligible.

Most people begin with an initial checklist assessment, which helps decide if a full assessment is needed. However, if you require urgent care (for example, if you are terminally ill), the process may be fast-tracked.

You can find your local ICB online.

During the assessment, the team will consider:

  • The type of help you need
  • The complexity of your needs
  • The intensity of your care requirements
  • The unpredictability of your condition, including any health risks if care is not provided promptly

Eligibility for NHS Continuing Healthcare is based on your overall assessed needs, not on a specific diagnosis or condition.

If you are found eligible, the next step is to develop a care and support package tailored to meet your needs.
 We would be delighted to discuss a personalised care service with you — please contact our Support Team to learn more.

NHS Continuing Healthcare applies to adults.Children and young people with needs resulting from a disability, accident, or illness that cannot be met through standard or specialist services may receive a Continuing Care Package instead.

Learn more about the National Framework for Children and Young People’s Continuing Care.

Care Funding

Personal Health Budget (PHB)

A Personal Health Budget (PHB) is an amount of money provided to meet your health and wellbeing needs, planned and agreed between you (or your representative) and your local NHS team.

It is designed to cover your NHS healthcare and support, giving you flexibility to manage services such as treatments, equipment, and personal care in a way that best suits you. PHBs work similarly to personal budgets for social care, offering greater choice and control over how your care is delivered.

A Personal Health Budget allows you to work in partnership with the NHS to decide how your needs can best be met and gives you the opportunity to choose your healthcare provider.

Find out more about Personal Health Budgets.

Care Funding

Personal Budgets and Direct Payments

A Personal Budget is an agreed amount of money provided if your local council determines you are eligible for help with social care and support.

You can choose to receive this money as a Direct Payment, allowing you to arrange and pay for your own care and support instead of the council organising it on your behalf.

You can request a needs assessment from your council to determine:

  • The type of care and support you require

  • The estimated cost of this care

  • How much you can contribute yourself

Receiving a Direct Payment means the money is paid directly to you, giving you more control over how it is spent.

Find out more about Personal Budgets.

Care Funding

Carers and Personal Budgets

If you are a carer, you may be eligible for a Personal Budget following a Carer’s Assessment, which identifies what support could make caring easier for you.

A Carer’s Assessment is free, and anyone aged 18 or over can request one.

Care Funding

Local Authority Funding

You may be eligible for your local council to contribute towards the cost of your care. The amount the council will pay depends on your care needs and your financial situation.

The first step is a needs assessment, carried out by your local council to determine the level of care and support you require. This assessment is free, and anyone can request one.
 Find out more about getting a needs assessment.

If you are assessed as needing care, the council will then complete a financial assessment (means test) to decide how much you should contribute towards the cost of your care.

Depending on the outcome, the council may:

  • Pay the full cost of your care

  • Pay part of the cost, with you contributing the rest

  • Decide that you are responsible for the full cost

The financial assessment is free and will be arranged for you after your needs assessment.
 Find out more about the financial assessment and when the council might pay for your care.

Care Funding

Paying for Your Own Care (Self-Funding)

If you are not eligible for local authority funding, or if you prefer to manage your care independently, you can pay for your own care.

You may still request a financial assessment to check whether you qualify for any support with costs, or you can choose to self-fund without an assessment.

You can:

  • Arrange and pay for care yourself without involving the council

  • Ask the council to arrange your care and bill you directly (note: not all councils offer this, and some may charge a fee)

Even if you pay for your care privately, the council can still carry out a free needs assessment to help identify what support you might require — for example, whether you need home help from a carer for two hours a day or two hours a week, and what tasks they should assist with.
 Find out more about getting a needs assessment and self-funding your care.

We would be delighted to discuss a personalised care service tailored to your needs.
Please contact our Support Team to find out more.