Written by Oliver Wakefield-Smith. Reviewed for accuracy against the Homecare Association's 2026/27 minimum-price report and Age UK's 2026 factsheets. Numbers verified 21 June 2026.
Care means test calculator
Enter your parent's capital, weekly income and Attendance Allowance status. The calculator returns the weekly council contribution, the tariff income from capital, and the net out-of-pocket cost after AA[5]. The four UK nations work differently; pick the one that applies.
Means test and benefits offset
Modelled, see notes- - Capital above £23,250 means the buyer self-funds in full; Attendance Allowance still applies and can be banked toward the bill.
What the rules actually say
In England and Northern Ireland, the means test uses two capital thresholds: £14,250 lower and £23,250 upper. Capital below £14,250 is disregarded entirely. Capital above £23,250 means the buyer self-funds in full. Between the two, the council adds £1 a week of tariff income for every £250 of capital above the lower threshold[3].
In Scotland, personal care is free at the point of delivery for all adults assessed as needing it, regardless of capital[10]. The Scottish capital thresholds (£21,500 lower / £35,500 upper) apply to the residential means test and to non-personal home-care hours[11].
In Wales, chargeable non-residential care is capped at £100 a week regardless of need, income or capital[12]. Attendance Allowance can offset that £100.
Northern Ireland uses the same £23,250 capital figure as England but the rules are administered by the five Health and Social Care Trusts, not local councils[14].
Next steps
- Run the cost calculator to get your weekly care cost.
- Apply for Attendance Allowance if not already.
- Self funder vs council funded: the decision matrix.