Care Costs & Financial Assessment in Doncaster – Healthwatch Doncaster

Social Care Advice

Care Costs & Financial Assessments

If you are eligible for council-funded social care, a financial assessment — also called a means test — will determine how much you contribute to the cost of your care. Understanding how this works can help you plan and ensure you’re only paying what you should.

Doncaster Council: 01302 737391 Get Help From Us

Financial Assessment — Key Facts

You only pay a financial contribution once your eligible needs have been assessed and you qualify for council support

If your total assets are below £14,250, you pay nothing toward care costs (income contributions may still apply)

Between £14,250 and £23,250, you pay a sliding-scale contribution based on your capital

Above £23,250 in capital, you are generally expected to self-fund your care initially

Your home is not included in the financial assessment for home care — only for residential care

Need help understanding a financial assessment?

01302 965450 Email us

How the Means Test Works

Understanding the Financial Assessment

What Is Assessed?

The financial assessment looks at your income and capital (savings, investments and property in the case of residential care). The council will calculate how much you can afford to contribute toward your care costs, taking into account your outgoings and a “minimum income guarantee” to ensure you retain enough to live on.

For home care and day services, your property is not included in the means test. For residential care — moving into a care home — your property may be taken into account after a 12-week disregard period.

You should receive a clear written explanation of the financial assessment and how your contribution has been calculated. If you don’t understand it or think it’s wrong, contact us for advice.

Get Help Understanding Your Assessment →

Capital Thresholds (2024/25)

Below £14,250 — no capital contribution required

£14,250 to £23,250 — tariff income applied: £1/week per £250 of capital above lower threshold

Above £23,250 — full self-funder (no council contribution to care costs)

These thresholds apply to most care settings — NHS Continuing Healthcare is separate and fully funded

Care Home Fees & Property

Your Home and Care Home Fees

The 12-Week Property Disregard

If you move into a care home, your property is disregarded from the financial assessment for the first 12 weeks — giving you time to make decisions about your home without immediately needing to sell it. After 12 weeks, the value of your property may be included in the means test.

If you are unlikely to return home, the council may offer a Deferred Payment Agreement — meaning you don’t pay care home fees until your home is sold (during your lifetime or from your estate). This prevents you from being forced to sell your home immediately.

Get Advice on Deferred Payments →

Deferred Payment Agreements

A Deferred Payment Agreement (DPA) allows you to defer your care home fee contributions until a later date — typically when your home is sold or from your estate after death. The council will charge interest on the deferred amount. Ask Doncaster Council for details.

Property Disregards

Your property is excluded from the means test if your partner, a dependent child, or a relative aged 60 or over (or who is disabled) still lives in it. If this applies to you, make sure the council is aware.

Challenging Your Assessment

If You Disagree With Your Financial Assessment

Request a Review

You have the right to request a formal review of your financial assessment if you believe it is incorrect. You should be given a clear explanation of how your contribution was calculated and the information it was based on.

Check What’s Included

Make sure the council has correctly identified all applicable disregards — including any benefits that must be disregarded, the minimum income guarantee, and property disregards if you are receiving home care.

Get Independent Advice

Healthwatch Doncaster can help you understand a financial assessment and identify whether you have grounds to challenge it. Citizens Advice and independent financial advisers who specialise in care funding can also provide advice.

Confused by Your Financial Assessment?

We can help you understand what you should and shouldn’t be paying for your care. Contact us for free, impartial advice.