When planning care, understanding what support might be available from your local council can make a real difference. If you or your loved one needs help with the cost of care, your local authority may be able to contribute. At Tanglewood, we’re here to help you explore these options with clarity and reassurance.
The first step is to request a care needs assessment from your local council. This is a free assessment, usually carried out by a social worker or a care professional, to determine whether care is required and what type of support would best meet your individual needs.
If the council agrees that care is needed, they will then look at how it can be funded.
Once your care needs are confirmed, the council will carry out a financial assessment to decide whether you qualify for help with the cost of care. This involves reviewing:
If your total assets fall below the threshold, you may be eligible for full or partial council funding. The exact amount you’ll be asked to contribute will depend on your financial situation.
If you are eligible for funding, the council may agree to pay a portion or the full cost of your care fees.
We’re committed to working with families to ensure the care remains accessible, while maintaining the comfort and quality you deserve.
Before making a final decision, it’s important to check the terms of your care home contract. This will outline how fees are charged, what’s included, and how local authority funding fits into the agreement.
At Tanglewood, we’re always transparent about our fees, and we’ll talk everything through with you to ensure you feel comfortable and well-informed before moving forward.
We know the funding process can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to navigate it alone. Tanglewood accepts funding from different counties, and our team is here to help you understand your options. If you’re considering a move from another area or care home, we’ll support you every step of the way to make the transition as smooth as possible.
If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out. We’re always happy to help you explore your options.
If you or your loved one is living with complex health needs due to illness, disability, or injury, you may be entitled to receive NHS Continuing Healthcare (CHC). This funding can cover the cost of your care, including accommodation, personal support, and clinical needs within a care home setting.
At Tanglewood, we know how important it is for families to understand all available funding options, and we’re here to guide you every step of the way.
NHS Continuing Healthcare is not based on a specific diagnosis, but rather on the level, nature, intensity, and complexity of your ongoing health needs.
You may be eligible if you require:
Eligibility is based on how your needs are being met, and whether they are primarily health-related rather than social or personal care needs.
The assessment process is usually completed in two stages, and is overseen by qualified health or social care professionals:
Initial Checklist: This is a brief screening tool used by a nurse, doctor, or social worker to identify whether you require a full assessment.
Full Assessment: If the checklist indicates further review is needed, a team will carry out a detailed assessment. They will look at your physical, emotional, psychological, and nursing needs to determine whether your care should be funded by the NHS.
If you are assessed as eligible for NHS Continuing Healthcare, the NHS may fund your care in full, including:
If you are not found eligible for NHS Continuing Healthcare, you may still qualify for NHS-Funded Nursing Care (FNC). This is a regular payment made by the NHS directly to the care home to contribute towards the nursing care provided by a registered nurse.
FNC is available to people who live in a care home that provides nursing care and have been assessed as needing that level of support, even if their overall needs do not meet the CHC threshold.
Understanding funding options can feel daunting, but you don’t have to go through it alone. At Tanglewood, our team is on hand to offer advice and guidance, whether it’s answering your questions, supporting the assessment process, or simply helping you understand what you may be entitled to.
For the most up-to-date and detailed guidance on NHS Continuing Healthcare and Funded Nursing Care, we recommend visiting the official NHS website.
When you move into a care home permanently, the benefits you’re entitled to may change.
If your care is funded by your local authority or the NHS, some benefits such as Attendance Allowance or the care component of Disability Living Allowance are likely to stop. This may also affect any Carer’s Allowance paid to someone who was supporting you at home.
Housing and Council Tax benefits typically end once you move into a care home. If someone else remains living in your home, they’ll need to apply for any benefits in their own name.
If you’re funding your own care, some benefits may continue, and you may wish to explore options such as immediate care insurance, which can help cover costs while protecting your assets. A financial adviser with experience in care planning can help guide you through your options.
If you run out of funds to pay for care home fees, it’s important to inform your local council and Tanglewood in advance, ideally at least three months before your savings drop below the threshold, which at September 2025 was £23,250.
When this happens you can be needs assessed by the local council to work out how much of your care fees they can pay.
It is sometimes expected for a third party contribution to be made, however, this is not always the case and can be reviewed on an individual basis with the home.
When you move into a care home, your benefits may change depending on whether you’re funding your care yourself or receiving support from your local authority.
Some benefits, like State Pension and Pension Credit, usually continue, while others such as Attendance Allowance or Personal Independence Payment may stop after 28 days if your care is council-funded.
Most benefits will count as income during your financial assessment, so it’s important to check you’re claiming everything you’re entitled to. If unsure, there are independent tools and services to help you find out what support you can access.
Here is some more information on how different types of benefits affect care home fees and funding.