What happens during a financial assessment for care?

A financial assessment is carried out by the local council to decide how much someone needs to contribute towards care costs. It looks at savings, investments, income such as pensions, and in some cases property. The upper capital threshold in England is currently £100,000 — above this, care is self-funded in full. Below the lower threshold of £23,250, the council covers most costs. Between the two, contributions are calculated on a sliding scale. The assessment is free and you are entitled to see how the figures have been calculated.