Charging for residential care

If you need residential care, your local authority may ask you to pay towards the cost. This section looks at the rules the local authority have on charging for residential accommodation.

• The local authority has to charge you for residential care services if you can afford to pay. 
• The should not charge you for residential care services if you get free aftercare under section 117 of the Mental Health Act 1983.
• If you are not happy about how much the local authority are charging, you can ask for a review or complain.

We know that money and mental health problems often go hand in hand. That’s why Rethink Mental Illness, as part of Mental Health UK, have set up a new website. It will help you understand, manage and improve your mental and financial health. You can find a wide range of information to help you with paying for residential care. Just visit www.mentalhealthandmoneyadvice.org to find out more. 

These pages are created by Rethink Mental Illness' Advice Service in accordance with the Information Standard. Last reviewed in February 2016. Next review March 2018.