What is the Minimum Income Guarantee?
Advice on the Minimum Income Guarantee (MIG) for older adults receiving home care from their local council who may be concerned about their budget for daily living expenses.
What is the MIG?
The Minimum Income Guarantee (MIG) is a financial buffer for those receiving home care from their local council in England or Wales (in Scotland, care is free). The MIG guarantees that, if your savings are used to pay for your care, there will be an adequate amount left over to cover your daily expenses, such as food, utilities and insurance payments. This is a legal requirement laid out by the Care Act 2014.
The local council will arrange a financial means test alongside your Care Needs Assessment to look at your income, savings, and any other assets you have, to determine how much of this should be put towards your care. Ultimately, the MIG helps ensure you can maintain a reasonable standard of living while receiving appropriate care.
Who does the Minimum Income Guarantee (MIG) apply to?
The Minimum Income Guarantee applies to older adults in England and Wales who have undergone a Care Needs Assessment and are evaluated as needing home care from their local council. They must also have undergone a financial means test indicating they need help with funding. This also applies to anyone deemed incapable of making decisions for themselves due to cognitive difficulties.
The MIG does not apply to those who move to a care home, as daily needs like food will be taken care of by the home. The guaranteed amount for MIG will vary depending on age, disabilities the person lives with, and their personal circumstances, but some of the standard amounts are set out below.
How much is Minimum Income Guarantee (MIG)?
The amount received for MIG depends on several factors, and your local council will explain how they calculate this. For example, as of the tax year 2025/26, MIG for a single person of pension age or over is £232.60 a week, or if they live with a partner and one/both of you has reached pension age, your individual MIG is £177.55 a week. These figures may change if you receive Carer’s Allowance, or certain benefits like Attendance Allowance.
You will be given more information during the financial assessment and a chance to ask questions about the process. If you believe the amount you are paying for care is affecting your ability to live independently, you can ask to increase your MIG, and if denied, you can challenge the decision.
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How to access your Minimum Income Guarantee (MIG)
The Minimum Income Guarantee comes from your own income or savings, so it is not something you need to access. It is a set amount of money you must be allowed to keep each month to cover any daily living expenses you have. Although it is intended for use on basic necessities like food, clothing and everyday payments, there are no strict rules on what exactly you need to spend this on.
To calculate your MIG, your local authority will likely choose to disregard expenses like your accommodation costs, such as rent, mortgage, council tax, and bills like your gas bill, or Disability Related Expenditure (DRE), which is any additional cost you may experience as a result of having a disability. Evidence will usually be required if this is the case.
How can Home Instead help older adults?
If you are looking into potentially using private home care instead of care provided by your local council, our team can discuss the possibilities while keeping your budget in mind if finances are a concern for you. Our person-centred care is designed to support the individual needs of each older adult, such as personal care, housekeeping, mobility support, or more specialist care for those managing challenging chronic health conditions.
We are proudly rated 9.6 on Homecare.co.uk, and many of our locations are rated “outstanding” by the Care Quality Commission (CQC), so we can design a personalised package of care that aligns with your needs and budget, whether that means a few hours of daily personal care, or full-time live-in support.
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FAQs
What is the Minimum Income Guarantee (MIG)?
The Minimum Income Guarantee (MIG) is the amount of money a person receiving care at home is allowed to keep after contributing towards their care costs. It ensures that people who receive local authority funding are left with enough money to cover everyday living expenses.
Who qualifies for the Minimum Income Guarantee?
Anyone receiving home care services and contributing to their care costs through their local council’s financial assessment may be eligible for the MIG. The amount you can keep depends on your age, disability status, and individual circumstances.
Who qualifies for the Minimum Income Guarantee?
Anyone receiving home care services and contributing to their care costs through their local council’s financial assessment may be eligible for the MIG. The amount you can keep depends on your age, disability status, and individual circumstances.
Does the Minimum Income Guarantee change every year?
Yes. The MIG is reviewed and updated annually by the government to reflect changes in the cost of living. Local councils then apply the new rates when reassessing care contributions.
How can I find out if the MIG applies to me or my loved one?
You can contact your local council’s adult social care department for a financial assessment. They’ll explain whether the MIG applies and how it affects the amount you contribute towards care at home.
Diane WIlliams , Head of Quality & Standards
Before joining Home Instead, I built a comprehensive career in the social care sector, beginning in 1991 as a frontline care worker and advancing to senior leadership roles across both private and voluntary sector businesses.
Throughout my career, I have supported diverse care groups in a variety of settings, including community, residential, nursing, and secure environments. My experience spans working with older adults, including those living with dementia; individuals with physical disabilities and complex, long-term health needs; people with learning disabilities, including autism; individuals with enduring mental health challenges; individuals with current or past substance use and those with forensic backgrounds.
In 2002, I qualified as a social worker and have since maintained my professional registration with Social Work England.