Care Financial Assessment Calculator
Calculate your estimated weekly contribution towards social care costs based on the UK Care Act 2014 charging framework and BCP Council’s Adult Social Care Charging Policy. Applies the £23,250 self-funding capital threshold, tariff income rules, and standard Minimum Income Guarantee (MIG) rates.
Estimated weekly cost of care services
Select the year for MIG/PEA benefit rates
1. Capital & Savings
Bank savings, cash, stocks, shares, ISAs
Equity in second homes, land, or let properties (after mortgage)
2. Weekly Income & Benefits
State Pension, Pension Credit, private pension, AA, PIP Daily Living (excluding mobility)
Employment/self-employment wages (fully disregarded by Care Act)
3. Demographics & Premiums (Home Care)
Increases your protected MIG allowance
4. Weekly Expenses & Deductions
Rent, mortgage interest, council tax (net of housing benefits)
Laundry, heating, community alarm, special diet due to disability
Care Cost Coverage Breakdown
Step-by-Step Calculation Breakdown
| Assessment Item | Amount / Status | Notes & Guidelines |
|---|---|---|
| Savings & Liquid Assets | £10,000.00 | Fully included |
| Total Capital Assessed | £10,000.00 | Limits: £14,250 to £23,250 |
| Weekly Tariff Income | £0.00 | £0 (capital below lower limit) |
| Weekly Personal Income | £250.00 | State Pension, benefits, private pensions |
| Weekly Assessable Income | £250.00 | Tariff Income + Personal Income |
| Basic Minimum Income Guarantee (MIG) | −£241.45 | Protected basic living allowance based on age |
| Total Protected Allowances & Expenses | £241.45 | |
| Net Assessable Income (Disposable) | £8.55 | Weekly Assessable Income minus Protected/Expenses |
| Weekly Cost of Care Package | £500.00 | |
| Your Assessed Weekly Contribution | £8.55 | Lesser of net assessable income and care cost |
How the calculation works
Social care in England is means-tested. The assessment looks at both your capital (savings, property, investments) and your weekly income (pensions, benefits).
Capital Limits: If your capital exceeds £23,250, you pay the full cost of your care package. If your capital is below £14,250, it is ignored. Between these two amounts, a tariff income of £1/week is added to your income for every £250 you have.
Care at Home: The council calculates your contribution by taking your weekly assessable income (including tariff income), and subtracting your protected allowances (the Minimum Income Guarantee, or MIG), housing costs (rent/mortgage/council tax), and Disability Related Expenditure (DRE). The remaining amount is your weekly contribution, capped at the actual cost of your care.
Residential Care: In a care home, you contribute most of your income. You are left with a weekly Personal Expenses Allowance (PEA) of £31.80 (2026/27 rate). If you own a home, its value is ignored for the first 12 weeks of permanent care (the 12-week disregard) or permanently if a spouse/partner lives there.
Frequently asked questions
Will I have to sell my home to pay for care?
If you receive care in your own home (community care), the value of your main home is completely disregarded. If you permanently move to a care home, your home's value is disregarded if a partner, qualifying spouse, child under 18, or disabled relative continues to live there. Otherwise, a 12-week property disregard applies from your permanent admission date, during which the council ignores its value. After 12 weeks, you may apply for a Deferred Payment Agreement to delay selling your home.
What are the lower and upper capital limits for 2026/27?
Under national Care Act charging guidelines, the lower capital limit is £14,250 and the upper capital limit is £23,250. If you have capital (savings, investments, second properties, or main property if applicable) above £23,250, you are considered a self-funder and must pay the full cost of your care. Capital below £14,250 is ignored.
How is tariff income from capital calculated?
If your assessed capital is between £14,250 and £23,250, a weekly 'tariff income' of £1 is added to your financial assessment for every £250 (or part thereof) above the £14,250 lower limit. For example, on savings of £15,000 (£750 above the limit), your tariff income is £3 per week.
How does the council treat my income and earnings?
Income from pensions (State, Occupational, Private) and benefits (Attendance Allowance, PIP daily living, Pension Credit) is generally included in full. However, earnings from employment or self-employment are 100% disregarded under the Care Act to encourage people to remain in work. You will always be left with a protected amount: the Minimum Income Guarantee (MIG) for at-home care or the Personal Expenses Allowance (PEA) in a care home.
What is Disability Related Expenditure (DRE)?
If you receive care at home and qualify for disability benefits, BCP Council will conduct a DRE assessment. This allows you to deduct extra expenses you incur specifically due to your disability (such as higher heating bills, specialist diets, extra laundry, private care costs, or community alarm fees) from your assessable income, reducing your care charges.