Home Care Costs & Funding in Cornwall | Home Instead Mid Cornwall

Paying for Care at Home in Cornwall: Costs, Funding & Support

Arranging care at home in Cornwall is one of the most important decisions a family can make. While many people assume they will need to fund everything themselves, there is often financial support available that can significantly reduce the cost.

At Home Instead Mid Cornwall, we help families across St Austell, Fowey, Bodmin, Wadebridge and surrounding villages understand their options and put a clear, affordable care plan in place. Rated Outstanding by CQC in April 2026 we provide exceptional care for older people at home.

Care and support services aren’t usually free at the point of use, but depending on your circumstances, some or all of your care costs could be covered.

For social care — help with daily living such as meal preparation, taking medication, washing, dressing, or support around the home — Cornwall Council will carry out both a care needs assessment and a financial needs assessment.

If you have savings or investments over £23,250, you’ll usually need to pay for your own care. If you have less, you may qualify for partial or full funding depending on your income, capital, and benefits.

Cornwall Council may also offer a personal budget, which you can choose to manage directly. If the cost of your preferred care is higher than this budget, it’s sometimes possible for you or your family to make up the difference through a top-up payment.

You can reach Cornwall Council’s adult social care team on 0300 1234 131 or via their online form:
👉 Request help for an adult – Cornwall Council

For professional financial guidance, the Society of Later Life Advisers (SOLLA) can connect you with a local, accredited financial adviser. They can explain options such as equity release, care annuities, and other ways to plan for long-term costs. You can also call SOLLA on 0333 2020 454.

---

NHS Continuing Healthcare (CHC)

Some people with significant ongoing health and care needs may be eligible for NHS Continuing Healthcare (CHC). This is a package of care for adults that is arranged and funded by the NHS and can be provided in your own home or in a care home.

Unlike support provided through Cornwall Council, NHS Continuing Healthcare is not means-tested. Your income, savings and property are not used to decide whether you qualify. Eligibility is based on an assessment of your care needs and whether these amount to what the NHS describes as a “primary health need.”

How do I apply for NHS Continuing Healthcare in Cornwall?

If you think you or a family member may be eligible, the first stage will usually be an NHS Continuing Healthcare Checklist. You can ask a health or social care professional involved in your care about having a CHC assessment.

If the Checklist indicates that a full assessment is required, your needs will normally be considered by a multidisciplinary team using the Decision Support Tool (DST). The final decision about eligibility in Cornwall is made by NHS Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Integrated Care Board (ICB).

If you are eligible, the NHS will arrange and fund a care package designed to meet your assessed health and associated care needs.

Fast Track Continuing Healthcare

There is also a Fast Track process for people whose health is deteriorating rapidly and who may be approaching the end of life. This allows an appropriate package of NHS-funded care to be put in place without going through the standard CHC assessment process.

If you think Fast Track funding may be appropriate, speak to the doctor, nurse or other healthcare professional responsible for the person’s care.

CHC contacts in Cornwall

For information about NHS Continuing Healthcare locally, contact the NHS Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Continuing Healthcare Team:

Telephone: 01209 832400
Email: ciosicb.chc@nhs.net

You can also find further information on the NHS Cornwall and Isles of Scilly website and the national NHS Continuing Healthcare guidance.

If you do not qualify for CHC, you may still be entitled to help with care costs through Cornwall Council, benefits such as Attendance Allowance, or other NHS and social care support.

---

Personal Independence Payment (PIP) and Attendance Allowance

Many people don’t realise that you may be entitled to extra financial support through benefits such as Personal Independence Payment (PIP) or Attendance Allowance. These help cover the additional costs of living with illness, disability, or care needs.

PIP is for people aged 16 to State Pension age and has two components:

• Daily Living Component (help with tasks like cooking, washing, dressing, or taking medication)

  • Standard rate: £76.70 per week

  • Enhanced rate: £114.60 per week

• Mobility Component (help getting around)

  • Standard rate: £30.30 per week

  • Enhanced rate: £80 per week

You can receive either or both components, depending on your assessed needs. PIP is tax-free and does not depend on income or savings.

For those over State Pension age, similar support is available through  Attendance Allowance. The Lower rate is £76.70 and Higher rate is £114.60 Even modest amounts can make a real difference when budgeting for care, and getting advice early ensures you claim everything you’re entitled to.

Helpful links & contacts:

• PIP – GOV.UK

• Attendance Allowance – GOV.UK

---

Personal Budgets and Top-Up Payments

If Cornwall Council agrees you are eligible for social care support, you may receive a personal budget. This is an allocated amount you can use to pay for your care, giving you the flexibility to choose the services that best meet your needs.

If the care you want costs more than your budget, it may be possible for you or your family to make a top-up payment. Top-ups act as a bridge between what the council funds and the care you prefer, giving you more control and choice.

Learn more:

• Cornwall Council – Adult Social Care Personal Budgets

---

Planning Ahead: Financial Advice

Funding care is not just about accessing government support — it’s about planning for the future with confidence. Local, accredited advisers can help you understand options like:

• Equity release – using the value of your home to fund care costs.

• Immediate care plans – paying an annuity upfront for expected care.

• Long-term care budgeting – combining savings, pensions, and benefits efficiently.

The Society of Later Life Advisers (SOLLA) can connect you with a trusted adviser in Cornwall. You can also call them on 0333 2020 454.

Getting professional advice early can reduce stress, avoid costly mistakes, and ensure you’re making the most of available funding.

---

Home Care Costs in Cornwall: How Home Instead Can Help

Once you understand the different options for funding care in Cornwall, the next step is deciding what care you need and how much it is likely to cost.

At Home Instead Mid Cornwall, we provide high-quality, personalised home care across Mid Cornwall, including St Austell, Fowey, Lostwithiel, Bodmin and Wadebridge. Care can range from a few hours of support each week to several visits every day.

How much does home care cost in Cornwall?

Our visits are a minimum of one hour, giving our Care Professionals time to provide unhurried, relationship-led care.

As an example, our current home care costs are:

• 2 hours of care per week – £86.60
• 1 hour every day – £303 per week
• 2 hours every day – £606 per week
• 3 hours every day – £909 per week

Every person is different, so we will help you put together a personalised care plan based on the support you need and your budget.

Depending on your circumstances, care may be funded privately or with help from Attendance Allowance, NHS Continuing Healthcare (CHC), Cornwall Council funding or a personal budget.

More than just a care visit

Choosing home care isn’t simply about buying an hour of someone’s time. A good home care service should help someone remain safe, independent and enjoying life in their own home.

At Home Instead Mid Cornwall, our Care Professionals are carefully selected, trained and supported by our local office team. We personally introduce Care Professionals to the people they will be supporting and aim to provide a small, consistent team wherever possible.

Our care can include companionship, home help, meal preparation, shopping, medication support and personal care, as well as more specialist support for people living with dementia, Parkinson’s, frailty or those requiring palliative and end-of-life care.

Read more about our Dementia Care , Personal Care and Parkinson’s Care.

Private home care in Cornwall

Home Instead Mid Cornwall is primarily a private-pay home care provider. Most of our clients and their families arrange their care directly with us, giving them greater choice over the length of visits, the support provided and how their care is organised.

Some clients use Attendance Allowance, Personal Independence Payments, personal budgets or other financial support towards the cost of their Home Instead care, with the remainder paid privately.

Where someone is eligible for NHS Continuing Healthcare (CHC) or local authority funding, the funding available may not always cover our minimum one-hour visits or our full private care fees. Families can talk to us about their individual circumstances and the options available.

Our aim is to provide a flexible, high-quality service built around the individual, rather than designing someone’s care around the shortest possible visit.

Talk to us about care and costs

If you’re trying to understand how much care at home will cost in Cornwall, we’re happy to talk through the options with you. There is no obligation, and we can help you work out the amount and type of support that may be appropriate.

Call Home Instead Mid Cornwall on 01726 829312
Email: oncall@midcornwall.homeinstead.co.uk

Or visit Home Instead Mid Cornwall.

FAQs: Home Care Costs and Funding in Cornwall

Can I get financial help to pay for home care in Cornwall?

Yes. Depending on your circumstances, you may be entitled to financial help towards the cost of care. This can include Attendance Allowance, Personal Independence Payment (PIP), Cornwall Council support or NHS Continuing Healthcare (CHC).

NHS Continuing Healthcare is not means-tested and may fund an appropriate package of care for people whose assessed needs amount to a primary health need.

Do I have to sell my home to pay for care at home?

No. If you are receiving care in your own home, the value of the home you live in is not included in the local authority financial assessment.

Your other income, savings and capital may still be taken into account when Cornwall Council assesses how much you should contribute towards your care.

How quickly can home care start?

Home care can often begin within a few days, depending on your needs, where you live and the availability of suitable Care Professionals.

We will first talk to you and your family about the support you need, develop a care plan and introduce the Care Professionals who will be supporting you.

Is home care cheaper than a care home?

It depends on how much care you need.

For someone who needs a few hours of support each day, care at home can cost considerably less than moving into a care home, while allowing them to remain in familiar surroundings.

For example, three one-hour Home Instead visits each day currently cost £909 per week.

As the number of hours of care required increases, the cost difference between home care and residential care becomes smaller. Cost is only one consideration, however: many people particularly value being able to remain in their own home, community and familiar surroundings.