Introduction to paying for care in Buckinghamshire

Arranging and paying for care can be complex. Whether you are arranging care for yourself or a loved one, understanding your options and associated costs is very important.

Before arranging care, we will work with you to assess your needs:

1. Initial assessment: this free assessment will help identify the type of support you need.
2. Care Plan: If you have eligible care needs under the Care Act, we will create a care plan based on the assessment. This care plan will set out the type of care needed, how often it is needed, and any associated costs.

For more information on this, see our care and support section.

Care can be paid for in several ways:

1. By the Local Authority: Following a financial assessment, if your savings and assets are below the legal threshold, you may qualify for financial help from the Council to pay for care. This is ‘means-tested support’.
2. By you or your family: If you do not qualify for local authority funding, you will need to pay for care yourself. It is important that you consider whether you can afford to pay for the care in the longer term by considering your savings, assets, and any potential income from pensions or benefits.
3. By the NHS: If you have long-term complex medical needs, you may be eligible for NHS Continuing Healthcare or Funded Nursing Care which may cover some or the full costs of your care.