Care Funding Options Checker
How it works
The tool maps your situation (savings, home, income, health) against each funding route and ranks them. CHC is always step 1 — it's the only fully-funded option. Then means-test position determines whether the council contributes. For self-funders, the choice between drawdown, annuity and equity release depends on life expectancy and family wishes.
Worked example
£300k home + £80k savings, dementia: CHC unlikely; means-test fails; options are self-fund from savings (~3 years), buy a £100k care annuity guaranteeing £45k/year for life, or sign a Deferred Payment Agreement to keep the home until death.
Who should use this
- •Families approaching care decisions
- •Self-funders weighing annuity vs drawdown
- •Anyone who hasn't tested CHC eligibility yet
- •Couples protecting the family home
Common mistakes
- ×Skipping CHC assessment — biggest free win available
- ×Buying an annuity before getting CHC ruled out
- ×Selling the home when DPA would protect it
- ×Forgetting Attendance Allowance and council tax disregards
Frequently asked questions
Are care annuities worth it?▾
Yes if life expectancy is 3+ years and you want certainty. They're paid direct to the home, are tax-free, and pass risk to the insurer.
Can I use my pension?▾
Yes — drawdown gives flexibility, annuities give certainty. Pensions are also outside the means-test if untouched.
Do siblings have to pay?▾
No. Adult children have no legal obligation to fund a parent's care.