Examples: how much people pay for care homes

His care costs

Michael's care fees cost £753.90 per week.

What he pays

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

• state pension of £228.75 per week
• private pension of £28.16 per week

Total income: £256.91 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 £31.80 per week

£256.91 income − £31.80 personal allowance = £225.11

Michael can afford to pay a total of £225.11 per week.

What the council pays

After Michael pays £225.11, there is still £528.79 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 £928.20 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 £250.53 per week
• private pension of £49.19 per week
• tariff income (from savings) of £17 per week

Total income: £316.72 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 £31.80 per week

£316.72 income − £31.80 personal allowance = £284.92

Grace can afford to pay a total of £284.92 per week.

What the council pays

After Grace pays £284.92, there is still £643.28 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.