Paying for and arranging your own care

From the section: Paying for care

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Paying for and arranging your own care

Adult social care services are not free for everyone. Most people will have to pay something towards the cost of their care, with some people having to pay the full cost. 

If you have savings and assets of less than £23,250, we could help pay for your care. To work out how much you can afford to pay, you will need a financial assessment. 

If you have savings and assets of more than £23,250 or choose not to share your financial information, you will have to pay the full cost of your care. This means you are a self-funder.  

This page explains more about being a self-funder, the support available and what to do if your financial situation changes. 

Where can I get advice about arranging and paying for care?

You can contact our adult social care team by: 

You can contact our Community Advice Hubs by:  

What are my options for arranging care?

You can: 

  • arrange and pay for care yourself without involving the Council
  • you can seek advice from adult social care, other organisations (see where can I get financial help?) or the Care Quality Commission
  • ask adult social care to arrange and pay for your care at home (we will then invoice you for the care and we may apply an admin fee)

Even if you pay the full cost of your care, or are likely to need to pay, we can carry out a needs assessment to identify what care and support you might need. This can also be beneficial if you plan to make care arrangements yourself, as it can help to explain to the agency or carer what kind of support you would need.  

If you would like to request a needs assessment, find out how to get help. 

How do I find out what I might have to pay for care?

Use our online contribution calculator for an idea of what you might pay towards the cost of your care. 

How much will care cost?

Care at home 

A typical hourly rate for a carer to come to your home is around £25 in Solihull. 

If you’re a self-funder and have asked us to arrange your care, we will also charge an arrangement fee and admin fee.  

See care at home for more information about this type of support.

Residential and nursing home care

Care home costs can vary depending on where you live and the type of care you need, but weekly costs typically start from £775 (correct as of October 2025).  

There are two types of care homes including: 

  • residential homes that provide accommodation and personal care, such as help with washing, dressing, taking medication and going to the toilet
  • nursing homes that provide personal care, as well as 24-hour nursing care (nursing homes typically cost more than residential homes)

We can help you choose a care home that's right for you. 

Alternative options

There is sheltered housing and extra care housing available in Solihull. Costs for these vary and you would need to contact individual accommodation providers for more information. 

How could benefits help with care costs?

You may be eligible for benefits, for example, Attendance Allowance or Personal Independence Payment (PIP), which aren't means-tested. 

You can use them to pay towards the cost of your care.  

Read about: 

Can the NHS fund my care?

If you, or the person you care for, has long-term complex health needs, your care may be funded by NHS continuing healthcare (NHS CHC). This includes care delivered at home or in residential nursing accommodation.

What happens if my savings run out?

If your savings fall below £23,250, we might be able to help with the cost of care. 

You should contact us about three months before you think your savings will drop below £23,250 and ask us to assess your care needs and finances. 

If the amount you have been paying for your care exceeds the amount we can reasonably pay, then a top-up fee may be required if you wish to remain in your chosen care home. 

If you are paying for care at home that exceeds the amount we can reasonably pay, you may need to change care agencies. Your individual circumstances will be assessed at the time. You may also want to consider a direct payment. 

We are only able to provide funding from the date you contact us. You won't be reimbursed if your savings are less than £23,250 before you contact us. 

Will I have to sell my home to pay for care?

We won’t count your home within your assessment if you: 

  • receive care and support at home 
  • go into a care home on a short-term or temporary basis 

If you plan to move into a care home permanently, we won’t count your home if it's still occupied by: 

  • your partner or former partner, unless they are estranged from you 
  • your estranged or divorced partner if they are also a lone parent 
  • a relative who is aged 60 or over 
  • a relative who is disabled 
  • a child of yours aged under 18 

If your assessment includes your home, it will be ignored for the first 12 weeks of your care unless you have already self-funded your placement for more than 12 weeks. This is to allow you time to decide what to do with your property and paying fees. 

Where can I get financial help?

You can get unbiased expert advice from a specialist care fees adviser to help you compare all your options before you decide what's right for you.

Find a specialist care fees adviser in your area with:

For telephone support, call:

What adult social care support can I access as a self-funder?

You might be able to get help regardless of your income or if you're paying for your care. You will find more information on our website about:

What support is available for carers of people who are self-funders?

If you are caring for someone who pays for their care, you are still entitled to a carer's assessment and may be entitled to your own financial support. Our help and advice for carers page provides further information.