{"id":7924,"date":"2026-10-09T22:58:55","date_gmt":"2026-10-09T22:58:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.visiting-angels.co.uk\/cheshire-east\/?p=7924"},"modified":"2026-10-09T23:11:59","modified_gmt":"2026-10-09T23:11:59","slug":"will-they-take-the-house-for-care","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.visiting-angels.co.uk\/cheshire-east\/will-they-take-the-house-for-care\/","title":{"rendered":"Will they take the house to pay for care?"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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Quick summary<\/b><\/h3>

For care at home, no. The value of the house someone lives in is not counted when the council works out what they pay for care in their own home. The rules are different for a permanent move into a care home, and even then there are disregards and a way to avoid selling immediately.<\/span><\/p>

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The straight answer<\/b><\/h3>

If your mum stays in her own home and receives care there, <\/span>the council does not count the value of that home<\/b> in the financial assessment. It looks at her income and her other capital: savings, investments, second properties.<\/span><\/p>

This is the most misunderstood thing in social care funding, and the fear of it stops people ringing anyone at all. Families spend months managing alone because they believe asking for help puts the house at risk. For care at home, it does not.<\/span><\/p>

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What is counted for care at home<\/b><\/h3>

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Counted<\/b><\/p><\/th>

Not counted<\/b><\/p><\/th><\/tr><\/thead>

Savings and investments<\/span><\/p><\/td>

The home they live in<\/span><\/p><\/td><\/tr>

Income: State Pension, private pensions, most benefits<\/span><\/p><\/td>

Personal possessions<\/span><\/p><\/td><\/tr>

Second properties<\/span><\/p><\/td>

The value of a pre-paid funeral plan<\/span><\/p><\/td><\/tr>

Premium bonds, shares, ISAs<\/span><\/p><\/td>

Certain compensation payments held in trust<\/span><\/p><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>

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The capital limits for England in 2026\/27 are <\/span>\u00a323,250 upper<\/b> and <\/span>\u00a314,250 lower<\/b>. Above the upper limit, someone pays the full cost. Below the lower, capital is ignored and the contribution comes from income. Between the two, there is a tariff of \u00a31 a week for every \u00a3250 of capital above the lower limit.<\/span><\/p>

There is also a protected amount of income, the Minimum Income Guarantee, that a charge cannot take someone below. Our <\/span>guide to the assessment<\/span><\/a> explains how the needs and financial assessments fit together.<\/span><\/p>

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A care home is different<\/b><\/h3>

For a permanent move into residential care, the property is usually taken into account. That is the rule that generates the fear, and it comes with several important exceptions.<\/span><\/p>

The property is disregarded entirely if it is still occupied by:<\/b><\/p>

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