Paying for Live-in Care in Birmingham and the West Midlands (2026/27)
By the Birmingham Angels teamUpdated 8 min read
Most families start thinking about money the moment care is mentioned. The good news is that there's more help available than many people realise - and when care is provided at home, your house is protected from the council's means test.
This guide walks through the main ways families in Birmingham and the West Midlands pay for live-in care. It's general information, so please confirm your own position with your council, the NHS or a regulated independent adviser.
Who to contact in the West Midlands
Care needs assessments are carried out by the adult social care team of the council where the person lives. In this region that means Birmingham City Council, Solihull Council, Sandwell Council, Dudley Council, Walsall Council, City of Wolverhampton Council or Coventry City Council. You can ask for an assessment for yourself or on behalf of a relative, and family carers can ask for a carer's assessment of their own.
How the council means test works
| Savings and other capital | What normally happens |
|---|---|
| More than £23,250 | You arrange and pay for your own care |
| Between £14,250 and £23,250 | You pay from your income plus £1 a week for every £250 over £14,250 |
| Less than £14,250 | Your savings are ignored; you pay what you can afford from income |
If the council does contribute, you can usually ask for the money as a direct payment so you have more say over who provides your care. Councils also allow you to keep a minimum level of income and may take some disability-related costs into account.
Benefits worth checking
- Attendance Allowance - for people over State Pension age who need help with personal care: £76.70 a week (lower rate) or £114.60 a week (higher rate) in 2026/27. Savings and income don't affect it.
- Personal Independence Payment - for people under State Pension age with a long-term condition.
- Pension Credit - receiving Attendance Allowance can increase entitlement for people on lower incomes.
- Council Tax reductions - a person diagnosed with dementia may be disregarded for Council Tax; ask your council.
NHS Continuing Healthcare
Where someone's needs are mainly health needs, NHS Continuing Healthcare can pay for their care in full, wherever it's provided. In the region, eligibility is decided by the local NHS integrated care board - for example NHS Birmingham and Solihull or NHS Black Country. A checklist assessment usually comes first, often while someone is in hospital, and there's a fast-track route for people nearing the end of life.
Paying privately
Most people who choose live-in care fund it from pensions, savings or investments, sometimes with help from family. Some release equity from their home or buy an immediate needs annuity, which pays towards care for life in return for a lump sum. These are big decisions - always speak to a regulated adviser first. Age UK and the Society of Later Life Advisers are good places to start.
Frequently asked questions
Will we have to sell Mum's house to pay for live-in care?
No. When care is provided in her own home, the council's means test ignores the value of that home. That's one of the main financial differences from moving into a care home.
Can Attendance Allowance go towards a live-in carer?
Yes. It's paid to the person who needs care and can be spent however they choose, including on live-in care.
General information only - not financial, legal or medical advice. Figures and rules change each year, so check your own situation with your council, the NHS or a regulated adviser.
Want to talk it through?
Talk to us for free, friendly advice and a no-obligation care assessment. Lines are open 9am-10pm, 7 days a week.
Related care services
Live-in Care
A carefully matched carer moves into your home to provide support and company around the clock.
Complex Care Support
Consistent daily support for people with long-term or complex conditions, working alongside NHS teams.
Palliative & End-of-Life Care
Gentle, practical support so someone can spend their final weeks or months at home, surrounded by family.
More guides
- Live-in Care or a Care Home? Making the Choice in BirminghamAn honest look at costs, quality of life, couples and dementia - and when a care home is the better choice.
- Caring for Someone with Dementia at Home in BirminghamWarning signs, home safety, routines, legal steps and where to find local support.
- Coming Home from Hospital in Birmingham: A Family GuideWhat to ask before discharge, free reablement, and how to have care ready for day one.