Costs of personal and nursing care

You can get personal care for free from your local council if your care needs assessment shows that you need it. You can get this regardless of your age, income, savings or relationship status.

Nursing care from the NHS in your own home is free. Your doctor’s surgery will provide it. 

If your assessment says you need a different type of care

If your assessment shows you need care that isn’t personal care, the council may charge you for it. For example, they may charge for help with housework, shopping and making beds.

Charges vary depending on your local council. There will also be a financial assessment to decide how much you need to pay for this type of care.

Care home costs

You may get help with care home fees if your care needs assessment shows you need personal or nursing care.

The personal and nursing care payment rates from 1 April 2025 are:

• £254.60 a week for personal care
• £114.55 a week for nursing care

You can only get personal and nursing care payments after you've had an assessment of your care needs. Your council does not have to pay for any personal or nursing care you got before your assessment.