What “Self-Funding Care” Means in Scotland
Self-funding care means you’re paying for some or all of your care costs yourself, without full funding from your local council. This can apply whether you’re receiving:
Care at home (support with daily activities),
Short-term support (like respite care), or
Permanent care in a care home.
Even if you’re self-funding, you’re entitled to a care needs assessment — and that’s a crucial first step.
1. Needs & Financial Assessment
Needs Assessment
This is provided by your local council and determines what care you need (e.g., home help hours or residential care). It does not obligate you to use council-funded care — but it clarifies required support.
Financial Assessment
To work out whether you qualify for help, the council looks at your capital (savings, investments, property) and income.
2. Capital Thresholds (2025–26)
These financial thresholds determine if you must pay:
Capital level
What it means:
Above £35,500
You’re self-funding — you pay care home fees yourself (but may still receive free personal/nursing care payments).
Between £22,000 and £35,500
You pay a tariff contribution plus any income contribution; council pays remaining care home costs.
Below £22,000
Council fully funds care home fees (you still pay income contributions and keep a personal expenses allowance).
Tariff contribution is a weekly charge based on your capital: £1 per £250 (or part) between the lower and upper limits. So, for example, if you have £30,000 in capital, you’d pay £34/week as tariff income before adding your income contributions.
3. What “Self-Funding” Really Means in Practice
Care Home Costs
If you’re classed as a self-funder:
You agree fees directly with the care home. The cost varies by provider and location.
You still get free personal and/or nursing care payments from the council if you’ve been assessed as needing that level of care — these reduce what you pay.
For example, weekly contributions for personal and nursing care are set at flat rates (e.g., £254.60 for personal care and £114.55 for nursing care from April 2025), which are paid to the care home with your contract in place.
However, you must pay the difference between total care home fees and the council’s flat-rate contribution — typically covering accommodation and living costs.
Choosing a Care Home
As a self-funder, you can generally choose any care home you can afford. But:
Check whether the care home will accept a council contract on your behalf (this can offer added protections).
Ask the care home for a written contract outlining care, costs, rights, and complaints procedures.
4. Paying for Home Care (Not in a Care Home)
Funding for care at home is treated differently from care home funding:
Your home’s value is not included in the financial assessment for home care.
There’s a separate threshold (around £10,000) for home care. If your savings and income are below this, you may not need to make a weekly contribution.
If above that, you make a tariff contribution based on income and savings above the limit.
5. Income & Benefits
Even if you’re self-funding, you may still be eligible for benefits like:
Attendance Allowance (if you’re over State Pension age),
Personal Independence Payment (PIP) (if under State Pension age).
These benefits can help with care costs or day-to-day living expenses.
6. Self-Directed Support (Flexible Funding)
Scotland offers Self-Directed Support (SDS) options, giving you choice and control over how your care is arranged, even if it’s council-funded. You can:
Take a direct payment and organise your own care,
Have the council arrange care with your input,
Choose a combination of both. More info
This flexibility can be useful if you prefer to manage and pay for care yourself but want council oversight or contributions.
Quick Links Summary
Get a needs assessment — essential even if you’re planning to pay yourself.
Get a financial assessment — this determines if you’re self-funding.
Self-funders pay care costs directly, but may still receive free personal/nursing care contributions.
Thresholds matter — above ~£35,500 you’re typically a self-funder; below that you may get council support.
Benefits and SDS options can reduce costs or increase control.