The Cost of Moving into a Care Home

How we assess you

Income from all sources is considered - we take into account net earnings and all social security benefits.

All capital is taken into account in your financial assessment including savings in a bank, building society or post office. We also need to take into account any stocks and shares, value of PEPs and ISAs. We also consider the capital value of any property you may own.

The Comhairle will treat the disposal of capital assets as deliberate if it is found to have been done knowingly in anticipation of admission into a care home. When this is decided, the capital assets will be included in the financial assessment.

The self-funding threshold is the amount of capital, defined by legislation, that makes the service user responsible to meet the full cost of their care in a Care Home. This excludes free personal and free nursing care which stands at £254.60 for residential care and £369.15 for nursing care.

In assessing your ability to pay for Care Home costs we ensure that everyone is left with an amount for personal expenses, known as the personal allowance (for 2025/26 - £35.90).

Care Home Maximum Charges 2025/26
Care Home	Rates
Bethesda (private care home)	£1,263
Leverburgh Care Home (private care home)	£1,152
Comhairle Care Homes	£2,008
Ardseileach Residential	£2,781

The cost of staying in a Care Home varies. You will be required to contribute to the cost whether your stay is temporary or permanent.
The amount you pay depends on an assessment of your income, your savings, and in the case of permanent residents, the value of your property - if you have any.
Demand for Care homes placements are high – so it is important to be realistic about your
choices.

What happens to my property?

Week 1 to 8 - There is a fixed rate weekly charge of £184.60 that will apply for the first 8 weeks and this is based on the Scottish Government Guidance. A review meeting should take place towards the end of the 8 week placement and financial information will be required by the finance officer to complete the full financial assessment and will determine the weekly charge which will take effect from week 9.

Week 9 to 20 – Anyone who has been assessed by Social and Partnership Services as needing to live in a Care Home and who, apart from their property, does not have savings or other assets above £22,000, will receive limited financial support from the Local Authority for a period up to 12 weeks following the initial 8 week period.

Week 21 – The current market value of your property will be included in your Financial Assessment from the 21st week of your stay in the Care Home. Please note, where you have previously owned property which you no longer legally own, the Comhairle may assess you as still having this property in some circumstances.

Savings / Capital	State Pension	Other Pension (if applicable)	Benefits (if applicable)	Other
Less than £22,000	✓	✓	✓	N/A
Between £22,000.01 - £35,500	✓	✓	✓	£1 for every £250 in savings
Exceeding £35,500	✓	✓	✓	All other costs

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, you are required to continue to pay your assessed charge as long as your bed is kept for you, awaiting your return. Charges will not be reduced.

When your capital falls below the upper capital limit you should request a financial reassessment. Following this, you will be advised when the funding from the Comhairle may become available. Once your capital falls below £22,000, you are advised to contact the Department for Works and Pensions to check your eligibility for Income support/Pension Credit which is means tested. You are entitled to request a financial re-assessment at any time.

You may wish to handle your own money. If not you can authorise someone to deal with your care charges on your behalf. You can pay your bill through a variety of methods including cash/card, Direct Debit or Standing Order.

The legal basis for charging for residential services is the National Assistance Act 1948 and The National Assistance (assessment of Resources) Regulations 1992. The Comhairle carry out all financial assessments in accordance with the terms of the above legislation and regulations.