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URGENT · THE MONEY IS RUNNING OUT

The money is running out. Here is the order to do things in.

Savings falling towards £23,250, a house that may have to pay, a care home that has just put its fees up. Families in this position make expensive mistakes in the wrong order – moving money, selling, signing. This page is the order we would work in, and the free routes to check before anything is sold.

Written by Francis, co-founder · registered mental health nurseReviewed by Samantha, co-founderLast reviewed 11 September 2026Sources: Care Act statutory guidance, NHS, our editorial standards
Get help nowHow long will the money last?
Tell the council earlyThree months before the money reaches £23,250 – they will not backdate.
Check the NHS routes firstCHC and Section 117 are not means-tested. If either applies, the savings are irrelevant.
Nothing is sold in a hurryThe twelve-week disregard and deferred payments exist so nobody sells under pressure.
THE ORDER

Five things, in this order

1

Is the NHS supposed to be paying?

A Checklist, and whether there was ever a Mental Health Act detention. If yes to either, stop and check before anything else.

2

Get the needs assessment

The council must assess anyone who appears to need care, regardless of money. Ask in writing. It is the basis for everything after.

3

Work out the real runway

Fees, increases, Attendance Allowance, Pension Credit, and what the council would pay. The calculator does it in two minutes.

4

Tell the council three months out

They assess, they agree a rate, and they will want to know whether the home will accept it or needs a top-up.

5

Only then, decide about the house

Disregarded, deferred, let or sold – with regulated advice if the sums are large.

Deliberate deprivationGiving money or the house away to reach £23,250 faster does not work. The council can assess as if it were still yours, whenever it was given. There is no seven-year rule for care.
Fees calculatorRunway in minutes
Council assessmentFree, and your right
SOLLA adviserIf the house or an annuity is in play
WHAT WE DO

The two services that fit this week

Funding entitlement check
£225 exc. VAT · £270 inc. VAT

CHC, FNC, Section 117, Attendance Allowance, Pension Credit, the disregards and the means test – in writing in five working days, before any money is moved.

Care home contract & fee review
£425 exc. VAT · £510 inc. VAT

If the increase is what triggered this: what the clause actually allows, and the letter to send.

Regulated financial advice
Partner fee

Annuities, deferred payments, equity release, the house. We introduce a SOLLA adviser and take nothing. How that works →

QUESTIONS

Questions families ask at this point

Will the council pay the same fee the home charges now?

Often not. The council pays its usual rate; if the home charges more, a third party can pay a top-up, or the person may have to move. Ask the home now, in writing, whether it accepts the council rate.

Can we keep Mum in the same home?

Usually, if the home accepts council funding or a top-up is affordable. A written needs assessment that says a move would harm her is the strongest argument for the council to pay above its rate.

Should we stop paying and let it run out?

Never stop paying without agreement – it becomes a debt. Tell the council the date the money will reach £23,250 and ask them to have the assessment done by then.

Our standards. NMC-registered nurse · professional indemnity insured · no commission from any provider · not legal or FCA-regulated financial adviceWhat we are, and what we are not →

Before anything is sold, get the position in writing.

Free 20-minute call; entitlement check in five working days.

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