A Complete Guide for Self-Funding Families in Liverpool and Merseyside (2026)
Arranging home care privately can feel overwhelming, especially when you are responsible for covering the costs yourself. The way care is funded affects not only your financial planning but also your ability to choose the right provider, set the right level of support and maintain independence at home for as long as possible.
This guide explains how private home care funding works, what options you have, how you can combine different funding routes, and how to plan ahead confidently. It is written for families in Liverpool, Sefton, Wirral, Knowsley and St Helens who want clarity, transparency and reliable guidance. It also explains how Quarry Homecare supports self-funding clients to build sustainable long-term care arrangements.
What Is Private or Self-Funded Home Care?
Private home care funding refers to paying for your own care without the local authority covering the cost. Many families in Liverpool and Merseyside choose this route because:
They want control over who provides their care
They want to choose visit times, preferred carers and flexible scheduling
They want consistency rather than changing providers due to council contracts
They want a higher quality of care with a focus on relationship-building
They need support quickly and do not want to wait for assessments
According to Age UK and NHS guidance, local authorities will normally only contribute if your income and savings fall below certain thresholds. In England, including Merseyside, the upper capital limit is typically £23,250. Above this amount you are usually expected to self-fund your care.
Self-funding does not mean you cannot ask for help. You are still entitled to a care needs assessment from your local authority even if you pay privately.
How Local Authority and NHS Assessments Work in Liverpool and Merseyside
Although this article focuses on private funding, understanding the assessment process is important because it influences future planning.
Step 1: Needs assessment
You can request this from your local council (Liverpool, Sefton, Knowsley, Wirral or St Helens). The assessment identifies what type of support you require, for example:
Personal care
Medication support
Mobility assistance
Daily living tasks
Supervision due to dementia or cognitive decline
Quarry Homecare can also conduct its own independent assessment to produce a personalised care plan.
Step 2: Financial assessment
If you want to check eligibility for council-funded care, the council will carry out a means test. In England the current rules include:
Over £23,250 in savings: you will normally self-fund
Between £14,250 and £23,250: you will contribute based on a sliding scale
Below £14,250: the local authority contributes more significantly
Property may be included depending on circumstances, but not usually for home care (unlike care home funding where it is often included).
Step 3: Personal budget or direct payments
If eligible for funding, you may receive a personal budget. In Merseyside, many families choose direct payments so they can select Quarry Homecare or another preferred provider.
Step 4: NHS Continuing Healthcare
This is full funding available for people with intense health needs. It is not common for domiciliary care, but it is worth knowing about for complex cases.
Funding Options for Self-Funding Families
Self-funding rarely means relying on a single pot of money. Most families use a combination of savings, pensions, family contributions, benefits and sometimes the value of their home.
Below are the main funding options and what they mean for you.
- Savings, Pensions and Investments
Most self-funders in Liverpool and Merseyside rely on a mixture of:
Savings accounts
ISAs
Pensions
Income from investments
Regular pension draw-down
This is the most straightforward method. Families often request Quarry Homecare assessments to estimate future care needs so they can forecast how long savings are likely to last.
Advantages:
Full control over provider choice
Easy to adjust as needs change
No involvement from the council unless you choose
Considerations:
Costs can increase if needs escalate
Important to conduct regular budgeting reviews
Pension advisers can help create sustainable long-term plans
- Family Contributions
Some families pool resources to cover the cost of care. This might include:
Adult children contributing towards weekly hours
Family jointly funding specialised dementia or complex-care support
Relatives helping to bridge the gap between council-funded and preferred private care
Important considerations:
Keep records of all contributions
Be aware of deprivation of assets rules if reducing capital intentionally
Clarify who is responsible for ongoing payments
Quarry Homecare can help families estimate likely long-term costs to ensure everyone is aligned.
- Benefit Entitlements
Many families do not realise they are entitled to benefits that contribute towards care costs.
For home care, the key benefits include:
Attendance Allowance
Personal Independence Payment
Carer’s Allowance (in some situations, for family carers)
Pension Credit (which can indirectly support care affordability)
Disability benefits for specific conditions
These benefits are not means-tested and can significantly reduce your self-funding burden.
Mixed Funding: Combining Private Funding with Local Authority Support
Many people begin by self-funding and later transition to council-assisted funding when savings fall. This is very common in Liverpool and Merseyside.
How it typically works
- You start by paying privately.
- When savings drop close to £23,250, you contact your council for a financial assessment.
- If eligible, the council may contribute to your care.
- You can request direct payments so you can continue using Quarry Homecare at your preferred times.
Key things to know
Councils in Merseyside encourage early contact to avoid sudden funding gaps.
Rates paid by councils may differ from your private rate, so planning helps avoid shocks.
Transitioning works most smoothly when the provider, such as Quarry Homecare, already has a clear care plan and cost structure in place.
What to Ask Before Committing to Private Home Care Funding
When choosing a provider and planning how to fund care, ask questions that give you financial clarity and peace of mind.
Essential questions for Quarry Homecare or any provider
What exactly is included in the hourly rate?
Are travel, assessment or bank holiday charges included or separate?
How are carers trained and overseen?
Will we have the same carers consistently?
What happens if needs increase?
How often do your rates change?
Can you provide a written cost breakdown for 6 to 12 months?
What are your notice and cancellation terms?
Do you support clients who transition from private funding to council funding?
Quarry Homecare provides transparent pricing, clear contracts and a personalised funding forecast to help you plan confidently.
Realistic Funding Scenarios for Families in Liverpool and Merseyside
Below are practical examples that reflect real local patterns for funding private home care.
Scenario A: Full Self-Funding Using Savings and Pensions
A woman in Aigburth requires 14 hours of home care each week.
At £27 per hour, this equals approximately £378 per week.
Her pension and ISAs cover £250 weekly, and the remaining £128 is taken from savings.
Annual cost: around £19,600.
Scenario B: Starting Self-Funded, Then Transitioning to Council Support
A man in Maghull begins by paying privately.
Once his savings fall close to £23,250, his family contacts Sefton Council.
He undergoes a financial assessment and becomes partially funded.
He chooses to continue with Quarry Homecare using direct payments.
Scenario C: Family Contribution to Increase Hours
A mother in Wirral receives 10 hours per week of council-funded direct payments.
The family wants additional companionship visits.
Two adult children each contribute £40 per week to add four private hours through Quarry Homecare.
This creates a balanced care package without overstretching council funding.
Pitfalls and Myths to Avoid
Believing the council will never help if you self-fund: you can always request an assessment later.
Assuming benefits are not relevant to self-funders: Attendance Allowance often applies.
Forgetting that care costs rise over time due to inflation and wage increases.
Giving away assets to avoid funding care: this can be treated as deprivation of assets.
Choosing very short visits, which often increase the effective hourly rate.
How Quarry Homecare Supports Self-Funding Families
Quarry Homecare works with many self-funding families across Liverpool and Merseyside and provides:
Transparent pricing with no hidden fees
Flexible visit times and continuity of carers
Personalised care plans matched to your funding capabilities
Future cost forecasting to support long-term planning
Guidance on direct payments and mixed funding arrangements
Smooth transitions between private and council funding
Specialist dementia and complex care where needed
This means families can make confident and informed decisions, knowing costs and care quality are managed with clarity and integrity.
Summary and Next Steps
Private home care funding is manageable with the right knowledge, planning and support. Your main options include:
Savings, pensions and personal investments
Property-based solutions
Family contributions
Benefits such as Attendance Allowance
Mixed self-funded and council-assisted funding
Planning for future transitions
For personalised guidance, Quarry Homecare can provide a full assessment, detailed cost structure and support with funding options tailored to your circumstances.
