Does the NHS pay for domiciliary care? Sometimes but not usually for ongoing help with everyday tasks. Most people who need regular care at home will either receive support through their local authority or pay for a private care service themselves.

There are two exceptions to keep in mind. NHS Continuing Healthcare may pay for care at home if someone has a main health need. Short term reablement and intermediate care may also be available after an illness, injury or hospital stay to help someone become more independent again.

So, what is domiciliary care through the NHS, who can qualify and what happens if NHS funding does not apply? We explain the different options below, including council funded and private home care.

What Is Domiciliary Care?

Domiciliary care, often simply called home care, means professional care and support provided in a person’s own home rather than in a residential or nursing home. Depending on their needs, someone might have help with washing and dressing, taking medication, preparing meals, moving around safely or simply having some company.

The amount of care can vary considerably. One person may only need a short visit once or twice a day, while another may need several visits or more substantial support, including 24 hour care at home or  live in care.

At Greenwood Homecare our carers provide personal care across Peterborough, Grantham and Cambridge. The support is arranged around the person’s needs and usual routine rather than expecting everyone to follow the same schedule.

Does the NHS Pay for Domiciliary Care?

This is where the difference between healthcare and social care matters.

The NHS generally pays for healthcare needs, while ongoing help with everyday activities is usually dealt with as social care. As a result, many people who need regular domiciliary care will either receive help through their local authority or pay for care themselves.

There are two areas worth knowing about if you are looking at NHS support.

NHS Continuing Healthcare

NHS Continuing Healthcare (CHC) is care arranged and funded by the NHS for adults aged 18 and over who are assessed as having a primary health need. It can be provided in someone’s own home or in a care home.

There is no particular diagnosis that guarantees eligibility. The assessment looks at the person’s needs as a whole including how complex, intense or unpredictable they are and how much support is required. A multidisciplinary team arranged through the local Integrated Care Board considers whether the person’s main need for care is related to their health.

CHC is also different from means tested social care. It is not means tested so your income, savings and property are not used to decide whether you meet the health based eligibility criteria.

Where someone is eligible, the NHS can fund an appropriate package of care at home. Depending on the assessed needs, this can include personal care, nursing care and other healthcare support.

You can read more about NHS Continuing Healthcare on the NHS website.

Reablement and Intermediate Care After Hospital or Illness

Reablement and intermediate care are intended to be short term support. They are used to help someone regain independence following an illness, injury, operation or hospital stay rather than to provide permanent domiciliary care.

For example a person returning home from hospital may need help with washing and dressing. They may even need someone preparing food or moving safely around the house. As their strength and confidence improve, the level of support can be reduced.

GOV.UK guidance says that intermediate care and reablement should be provided free of charge for up to six weeks. Six weeks is not a fixed entitlement for every person, however. The length of support depends on the individual’s needs and how their recovery progresses.

Some people may no longer need care after this period. Others may still need help and require a longer term arrangement through the local authority or by paying privately. Our reablement care service can provide support for people who need help during recovery and adjustment at home.

What About Local Authority Funded Home Care?

If NHS Continuing Healthcare is not appropriate, your local council can assess your care needs. This is usually the starting point if you want to find out whether you may be entitled to help with the cost of care.

The care needs assessment looks at what you can manage yourself and where you need support. If you have eligible care needs, the council will normally carry out a financial assessment to work out whether you should contribute towards the cost.

For the 2026 to 2027 financial year, the national capital limits in England remain:

• £14,250 – the lower capital limit
• £23,250 – the upper capital limit

In simple terms, having capital above £23,250 will normally mean you do not qualify for means tested financial assistance, while capital below £14,250 is generally disregarded when calculating capital. Income is still taken into account. If your capital falls between the two figures, you may be expected to contribute from both income and capital.

These figures do not tell the whole story. For care provided outside a care home, local authorities can set higher capital limits and other rules can affect how someone’s finances are assessed. The council carrying out the assessment can explain how the figures apply to your circumstances.

Some families receive council support towards their care. Others choose to arrange care privately particularly if they want to choose their own provider or need support that is not covered by their local authority.

How Self Funded and Private Domiciliary Care Works

When care is arranged directly with a home care provider, it is usually referred to as private or self funded care. You do not have to wait for a council funding decision and you can choose the provider and agree how much support is needed.

That can be useful when someone’s circumstances change. A person might start with a couple of visits each week and need more help later. Equally, a family may need to arrange care following a hospital discharge while longer term funding is being considered.

At Greenwood Homecare, we provide care for people with a range of needs, from regular companionship to support with dementia, overnight care and longer term support. We look at what the person needs help with, what they can still manage themselves and how care can fit into their normal day.

If you are considering paying for care yourself, our guide explains more about how to pay for care and the options available.

Choosing a Safe, Regulated Home Care Provider

You also need to think about who will provide it once you have an idea of how care will be funded.

Domiciliary care providers in England that carry out regulated activities are regulated by the Care Quality Commission (CQC). Before choosing a provider check their latest CQC information and ask how carers are recruited, trained and supervised.

At Greenwood Homecare, our carers are trained, background checked and supervised. We also place a strong value on consistency. When care is provided in someone’s own home, it helps when the people supporting them understand their routines, preferences and needs.

You can find out more about who we are and the areas we cover across Peterborough, Grantham and Cambridge.

Getting Started

Working out who will pay for care is often easier once you have a clearer idea of the support your loved one actually needs.

If they have recently left hospital, the hospital or NHS team should be able to explain whether reablement or intermediate care is available. Where someone has significant ongoing health needs, it may be appropriate to ask about an assessment for NHS Continuing Healthcare. If longer term care is needed but NHS funding does not apply, the local authority can assess their care needs.

Families arranging care privately do not need to wait for a council funding decision. A reputable provider should be able to discuss the type of help required, explain what they can offer and give you a clear idea of the likely cost before you decide whether to go ahead.

At Greenwood Homecare, we can discuss your circumstances and arrange a free home assessment. There is no obligation to arrange care with us. It is simply an opportunity to talk through what support may be suitable and ask any questions you have.

FAQs

Does the NHS pay for home care?

It can but only in certain circumstances. If someone is eligible for NHS Continuing Healthcare, the NHS can fund their care package at home. Short term reablement and intermediate care may also be provided free of charge for up to six weeks. In a case where someone only needs ongoing help with everyday activities, that would normally fall under social care rather than NHS funding.

Can I get NHS Continuing Healthcare at home?

Yes. NHS Continuing Healthcare is not limited to care homes. If someone meets the eligibility criteria, their care package can be arranged in their own home. Whether they qualify depends on their assessed health needs rather than simply having a particular illness or diagnosis.

Does having savings mean I cannot get NHS Continuing Healthcare?

No. This is one of the main differences between NHS Continuing Healthcare and means tested social care. CHC is not based on your savings or income. The question is whether your health and care needs meet the eligibility criteria.

What happens if I am not eligible for NHS Continuing Healthcare?

It does not necessarily mean that you will have to pay for all your care yourself. Your local authority can assess your care needs and if you have eligible needs, carry out a financial assessment to see whether you qualify for help with the cost. You can also choose to arrange private care if that is more suitable for you.

How much does private domiciliary care cost?

There is no standard cost because everyone’s care needs are different. The price will depend on things like how often visits are needed or how long carers need to stay and also the type of support involved. A reputable provider should discuss your circumstances first and then give you a clear quote.

How quickly can domiciliary care start?

There is no set timescale. It will depend on the type of care needed and the provider’s availability. Private care can often be arranged more quickly because you are not waiting for a council funding decision. At Greenwood Homecare, we start with a home assessment so that we understand what is needed and can discuss when care could realistically begin.