Do I need to pay for care?

Most adult social care and support services are paid for in one of two ways:

• Privately: by your or your family, if you have savings or assets over £23,250
• By Portsmouth City Council: if you’re eligible for support

If you are eligible to receive adult social care support, we will talk to you some more, to complete a financial assessment to work out how much, if anything you will need to contribute towards the cost of care yourself.

Some types of care are free of charge, regardless of your income or savings:

• NHS care at home, such as services provided by a community or district nurse
• Intermediate care provided at home, may also be free
• Aftercare services provided under Section 117 of the Mental Health Act

You may also be eligible for non-means-tested benefits, such as:

• Attendance Allowance (for people aged 65+)
• Personal Independence Payments (PIP) (for people aged 16 – 64)

These benefits are awarded based on the level and type of help you need, not your financial situation. Find out more about both of these schemes:

• Attendance Allowance – GOV.UK
• Personal Independence Payment (PIP) – GOV.UK