What is it?

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NHS Continuing Healthcare (CHC) is a package of care that is fully funded by the National Health Service (NHS) for individuals with significant and ongoing health needs. CHC covers the full cost of care, whether it’s provided at home or in a care home.

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This funding is not means-tested, meaning your income and savings are not taken into account. Instead, eligibility depends solely on your health needs — specifically whether those needs are primarily medical rather than social.

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Who is it for?

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People with complex, unpredictable, or high levels of healthcare needs. This might include individuals with advanced neurological conditions, long-term degenerative illnesses, or those requiring frequent or intensive medical supervision.

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What are the benefits?

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• Covers the full cost of care (including accommodation and nursing)
   

• Available regardless of financial means
   

• Can be used for home or residential care
   

• Reviewed regularly to ensure ongoing eligibility
   

• Removes the financial burden from families

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Considerations

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• Eligibility criteria are strict and require a formal assessment
   

• Reviews can result in funding being reduced or withdrawn
   

• Disputes over eligibility are not uncommon and may require appeal
   

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How does My Care Direction help?

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Many families are told their loved one “won’t qualify” — but assessments haven’t even been done properly. We’ll guide you through the CHC process, prepare you for assessments, and support you if you need to challenge a decision. Our input ensures the best chance of a fair outcome.

What is it?

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NHS Funded Nursing Care (FNC) is a weekly payment made by the NHS to contribute toward the nursing care provided in a registered nursing home.

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It is not full funding — it covers only the nursing element of care — and is automatically considered for anyone who does not qualify for CHC but still has nursing needs.

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Who is it for?

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Individuals living in nursing homes who need regular support from a registered nurse but do not meet the threshold for full Continuing Healthcare.

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What are the benefits?

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• Weekly financial contribution from the NHS
   

• Eases the cost burden of nursing care
   

• Automatically considered during CHC assessment
   

• Supports access to more specialist care settings
   

• Available across the UK

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Considerations

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• Paid directly to the care home, not the individual
   

• Does not cover personal care or accommodation costs
   

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How does My Care Direction help?

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We ensure that nursing care needs are properly documented and assessed so that clients don’t miss out on FNC due to oversight. If CHC isn’t awarded, we make sure FNC is fairly applied.

What is it?

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Attendance Allowance is a non-means-tested benefit for people over State Pension age who have a disability or health condition that means they need help with personal care or supervision.

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It’s paid weekly and can be used however the recipient chooses — whether that’s on care, help around the house, or transport.

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Who is it for?

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Older adults with physical or mental health conditions that impact daily living — such as needing help to wash, dress, or stay safe.

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What are the benefits?

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• Up to £108.55 per week (2024/25 rates)
   

• Tax-free and not affected by income or savings
   

• Can increase eligibility for other benefits
   

• Doesn’t require formal care to be in place
   

• Paid directly to the individual
   

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Considerations

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• Requires a written application with evidence of need
   

• Needs must have been present for at least six months
   

• No mobility component (unlike Personal Independence Payment)

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How does My Care Direction help?

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Many people miss out on Attendance Allowance simply because the forms feel daunting. We help complete the application, gather supporting evidence, and increase the chance of success — especially for those who’ve been rejected before.

What is it?

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Personal Independence Payment (PIP) is a benefit for people aged 16 to State Pension age who have difficulty with daily living and/or mobility due to a long-term health condition or disability.

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Who is it for?​

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Adults under pension age needing help with personal care or getting around due to illness, disability, or mental health issues.​

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What are the benefits?

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• Covers both daily living and mobility elements

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• Can provide over £180 per week (2025 rate)

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• Tax-free and not means-tested

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• May increase entitlement to other benefits

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• Helps fund care or independence aids

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Considerations

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• Requires an assessment and detailed application

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• Subject to periodic reviews

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• Applications can be complex or stressful

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How does My Care Direction help?

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We guide you through the full PIP process, help compile supporting documents, and assist with reconsiderations or appeals if needed.

What is it?

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Carer’s Allowance is a benefit for people who provide regular, unpaid care for someone receiving a qualifying disability benefit. It helps compensate carers for their time and commitment.

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Who is it for?

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Adults caring for someone at least 35 hours per week and earning under a certain threshold.

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What are the benefits?

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• 1,508 per year (2025 rate), paid weekly

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• Recognises and supports unpaid carers

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• Can help carers reduce reliance on employment

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• Triggers National Insurance credits for State Pension

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• Can be combined with other support (with limits)

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Considerations

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• Carer must meet income and eligibility criteria

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• May reduce other benefits for either party

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• Can impact personal tax or Universal Credit

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How does My Care Direction help?

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We assess carer eligibility, guide through the application, and explore other financial support carers may be entitled to.

What is it?

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Your local council may help pay for your care if you qualify both clinically and financially. Funding is means-tested and applies to care at home or in a care setting.

After a care needs assessment and financial assessment, the council may contribute to your costs — either through a direct payment or by arranging services directly.

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Who is it for?

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Anyone who:

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• Has eligible care needs
   

• Has savings and assets below the current financial threshold (currently £23,250 in England)

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What are the benefits?

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• Access to state-funded care
   

• Direct payments offer flexibility and control
   

• Can include respite or emergency care support
   

• Ensures care is aligned to assessed needs
   

• May help reduce the risk of care breakdown

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Considerations

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• Not everyone qualifies financially
   

• Assessments can be slow or inconsistent
   

• Funding levels vary between councils

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How does My Care Direction help?

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We help you gather the right documents, prepare for assessments, and challenge decisions that seem unfair. We also help you explore whether direct payments or commissioned services are better for your situation.

What is it?

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When someone needs care and support, local authorities carry out a financial assessment (means test) to determine how much the person must contribute towards their care costs. This considers income, savings, and certain property values.

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Who is it for?

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Anyone applying for local authority-funded care, either at home or in a residential setting, who has savings or income that may affect their eligibility.

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What are the benefits?

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• Ensures care contributions are fairly calculated
   

• Some income and assets may be disregarded (e.g., the family home if a partner still lives there)
   

• May unlock partial or full funding support

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Considerations

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• Thresholds can be strict, and many people fall just above them
   

• The rules around property and savings can be confusing
   

• Families often don’t know what counts as “disregarded” assets

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How does My Care Direction help?

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We explain the process clearly, prepare you for the assessment, and make sure all allowances and disregards are properly considered. This ensures you don’t pay more than you should.

What is it?

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A Deferred Payment Agreement allows you to delay selling your home to pay for care. Your local authority covers the costs upfront and recovers them later when the home is sold — either after your passing or when you choose to sell.

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Who is it for?

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Homeowners who need to move into residential care but don’t want to sell their home immediately.

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What are the benefits?

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• Delay selling the home during a stressful time
   

• Gives families time to plan finances
   

• Maintains a sense of stability for the person in care
   

• Interest rates are capped and regulated
   

• Allows time for property value to stabilise
   

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Considerations

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• Only applies to care home costs, not home care
   

• Property must not be occupied by a spouse or dependent
   

• Interest and administration fees apply
   

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How does My Care Direction help?

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We walk you through the pros and cons of DPA, liaise with the local authority, and make sure it’s the right decision for your circumstances.

What is it?

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In some situations, the value of your home is not counted in financial assessments for care funding. This is called a property disregard.

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Who is it for?

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• People receiving care at home (property is always disregarded)
   

• Those with a partner, relative over 60, or dependent child living in the home

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What are the benefits?

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• Retain financial eligibility for funding
   

• Protect family members from losing their home
   

• Reduces anxiety around funding eligibility
   

• Can be temporary or permanent
   

• Helps with long-term planning

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Considerations

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• Must be declared and evidenced
   

• Only certain relationships qualify

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How does My Care Direction help?

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We help ensure your rights are upheld in assessments and that property disregards are applied correctly — preventing financial disadvantage due to incorrect decisions.

What is it?

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Pension Credit is a top-up benefit for older people on a low income. It also acts as a gateway to additional support, including help with council tax, housing, NHS costs, and Cold Weather Payments.

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Who is it for?

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People over State Pension age with limited income and savings.

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What are the benefits?

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• Increases weekly income to a minimum guaranteed level
   

• Can unlock help with housing and care costs
   

• Free TV licence for over-75s
   

• Warm Home Discount and NHS savings
   

• Easy to claim by phone or online

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Considerations

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• Many eligible people don’t claim
   

• Savings over £10,000 may affect entitlement
   

• Couples must apply together

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How does My Care Direction help?

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We carry out a full benefit check and help you apply for Pension Credit and linked entitlements — especially helpful if you’re newly retired or experiencing financial changes.

What is it?

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People with a “severe mental impairment” (SMI), such as advanced dementia, may be entitled to a full exemption from paying council tax. This is not means-tested and is available in addition to other benefits.

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Who is it for?

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Individuals with a medical diagnosis that significantly affects mental capacity, alongside medical certification from a GP.

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What are the benefits?

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• Full exemption from council tax, potentially saving thousands each year
   

• Backdated claims can result in refunds of overpaid council tax
   

• Available regardless of savings or income

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Considerations

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• Requires formal medical confirmation and paperwork from the GP
   

• Not always widely advertised by councils
   

• Families sometimes miss out for years before applying

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How does My Care Direction help?

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We’ll guide you through the application process, liaise with your GP where needed, and ensure claims are correctly backdated so you don’t miss out on money you’re owed.

What is it?

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A government-funded grant to help cover the cost of home adaptations that enable someone to live safely and independently, such as stairlifts, level-access showers, ramps, or widening doorways.

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Who is it for?

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People with a disability or long-term health condition that makes everyday living difficult, who need home adaptations to remain safe and independent.

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What are the benefits?

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• Grants of up to £30,000 (England) to cover adaptation costs
   

• Helps avoid or delay the need for residential care
   

• Can significantly improve safety, independence, and quality of life

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Considerations

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• Subject to a financial means test for adults
   

• Applications can take time to process
   

• Not all adaptations may be approved

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How does My Care Direction help?

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We’ll explain eligibility, help with applications, and liaise with occupational therapists or local authorities to make sure the right adaptations are recommended and funded.

What is it?

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Many charities and trusts offer grants to support individuals with specific health conditions, disabilities, or financial hardship. These can fund anything from specialist equipment to respite breaks or home adaptations.

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Who is it for?

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People with limited resources or facing extra costs due to health conditions, especially where public funding is unavailable or insufficient.

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What are the benefits?

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• Can cover costs not met by statutory services
   

• Often condition-specific (e.g., dementia, Parkinson’s, cancer)
   

• May fund items that improve comfort and wellbeing

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Considerations

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• Each charity has its own eligibility criteria
   

• Application processes vary and may require supporting evidence
   

• Grants are usually one-off rather than ongoing support

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How does My Care Direction help?

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We identify suitable charities or trusts for your situation, help prepare applications, and provide the supporting information needed to improve your chances of success.

What is it?

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When someone does not qualify for public funding due to their financial situation, they may need to pay for care themselves (known as self-funding). This includes residential care, live-in carers, or domiciliary support.

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Who is it for?

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Individuals with savings, income, or property above the local authority funding thresholds.

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What are the benefits?

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• Full choice and control over care arrangements
   

• Access to higher-end care homes or services if desired
   

• Flexibility to adapt support as needs change

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Considerations

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• Costs can be very high and quickly deplete savings
   

• Without financial planning, families risk running out of funds
   

• May later require reassessment for public funding if assets reduce

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How does My Care Direction help?

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We provide clear, practical advice on budgeting, care fee planning, and sustainable options. We’ll also signpost to trusted financial advisors where specialist planning (such as care annuities) is needed.

What is it?

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Ways to unlock money to pay for care by using your home or financial products. This can include equity release (e.g., lifetime mortgages), downsizing to a smaller property, or using specialist financial products (like immediate-needs annuities) to help cover ongoing care fees.

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Who is it for?

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Homeowners who need extra funds for care, want to reduce monthly costs, or prefer predictable payments for long-term care.

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What are the benefits?

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• Frees up cash to pay for care without immediate sale (equity release)
   

• Lower living costs and simpler upkeep (downsizing)
   

• Can create stable, predictable care funding (specialist annuities)
   

• Flexibility to combine options with savings/benefits

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Considerations

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• Equity release affects estate value and may impact benefits
   

• Fees, interest, and early-repayment charges can apply
   

• Moving home can be stressful and involve costs
   

• Financial products carry risks and may not suit everyone

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How does My Care Direction help?

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We explain your options in plain language, map out pros and cons for your situation, and—when appropriate—introduce you to regulated, independent financial advisers who specialise in later-life planning. We’ll coordinate with them so your care plan and funding plan work hand-in-hand.