Funding Your Domiciliary Care: Grants, NHS Support & Local Aid

Paying for care at home can feel like navigating a dense fog. Costs rise, paperwork piles up, and families are left asking: Where do we start?

If you're trying to understand what typical home care costs look like, start with our main guide:

Domiciliary Care Costs in Uxbridge. This blog will make things easier to understand and explains the practical ways you can fund domiciliary care, including help from the NHS, your local council, disability benefits and charitable grants.. HTR Care is here to help you turn these options into a clear, workable plan.

How Domiciliary Care Funding Works: NHS, Council Help & Means-Testing

Funding for home care typically comes from three sources:

1. NHS Continuing Healthcare (CHC) – fully funded, not means-tested
2. Local authority funding – needs-based and means-tested
3. Self-funding – covers gaps between support and actual care costs

Think of these like three pipes running into the same tap.

What Does Means-Testing Actually Mean?

A means test looks at:

• Savings
• Investments
• Sometimes property

This determines whether your council contributes toward your care. For deeper insight into how these figures impact care planning, read:Cost of Home Care in the UK (2025) and How to Pay for It

NHS Continuing Healthcare (CHC)

CHC is a package of ongoing care fully funded by the NHS for individuals whose needs are primarily clinical. This can include care delivered at home, not just in residential settings.

The usual CHC pathway:

1. Referral
2. Multidisciplinary assessment
3. CHC panel decision

Strong clinical evidence is critical, hospital notes, medication lists, therapists’ assessments and care diaries all help build your case. For a closer look at CHC eligibility, appeals and assessments you can read our blog on What Is Continuing Healthcare (CHC)? If your loved one is living with dementia, CHC considerations may differ. Learn how care can be adapted: Dementia-Friendly Home Domiciliary Care

Local Authority Support & the Financial Assessment

If the NHS does not fund care, local councils may step in but only after assessing your financial situation.

A key number in England is £23,250.

If your capital is above this, you’re usually expected to self-fund. Below it, you may qualify for council contributions.

What Counts as Capital?

• Savings
• Investments
• Property (with some exceptions such as a spouse living in the home)

Some councils offer deferred payment agreements, which allow you to avoid selling your home immediately. If you want to understand how costs and assessments work, refer back to:

Cost of Home Care in the UK (2025) and How to Pay for It

Benefits, Allowances & Targeted Payments

Benefits don’t directly pay for a carer, but they increase disposable income, helping families afford home care.

Key options include:

• Attendance Allowance
• Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
• Carer’s Allowance

Eligibility rules vary, for example: PIP assesses an individual’s ability to carry out everyday tasks, while Carer’s Allowance has minimum hours and income limits. If you want to learn more about PIP and long-term condition support you can explore blogs related to PIP.

Grants, Adaptations & Local/Charitable Aid

Funding isn’t always ongoing. Sometimes small, targeted support can make a big difference.

Helpful options include:

• Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG) for home adaptations
• Local welfare funds
• Charitable grants from organisations like Age UK

A single adaptation such as a ramp, stairlift or accessible shower can prevent accidents and reduce long-term care needs.

To learn how agencies help individuals stay safely at home, see: Explore the Benefits of Getting Home Care Services From an Agency

Practical Checklist: Eligibility, Evidence, Appeals & Support from HTR Care

Use this checklist to stay organised and move forward confidently:

Step 1: Request an assessment

Contact your GP, hospital discharge team or local authority.

Step 2: Gather evidence

Include hospital letters, medication lists, therapy reports, clinical notes and care diaries.

Step 3: Apply for benefits

It is wise to start early, since benefit applications can take time.

Step 4: Request a CHC referral (if applicable)

And consider appealing if you disagree with a decision.

Step 5: Discuss care plans with professionals

HTR Care can help you look at costs, funding and flexible care options. If you are confused and don’t know how to start home care then you can read our blog on: How to Choose a Home Care Provider in the UK

Conclusion

Funding domiciliary care is rarely straightforward. Most families use a blend of NHS support, council contributions, benefits and grants. Acting early and gathering strong evidence is the best way to secure support.

HTR Care can help you map out your options and build a care plan that aligns with both clinical needs and financial circumstances.

FAQs

Q1: What is the difference between CHC and council-funded care?

CHC is fully NHS-funded and not means-tested. Council care is means-tested.

Q2: Can I get help if I have savings above £23,250?

You may be expected to self-fund, but deferred payment agreements could help.

Q3: Will Attendance Allowance pay for a carer?

It’s paid to the person needing support and can be used toward care costs.

Q4: How long does a CHC decision take?

Time varies, but strong evidence can speed up the process.

Q5: Where can I find one-off grants for home adaptations?

Start with the DFG, local authority discretionary funds and charities like Age UK.