When assessing your contribution, the local council must always leave you with a sum of money for your personal expenses. This sum, called your personal expenses allowance, is set by the Government each year. This year it is:

• £21.15 a week in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland
• £21.38 a week in Wales.

Any income you have over this level will go to the local council to cover your care costs (apart from disregarded benefits and income – see 'Income'). You should never pay more than the actual amount of the fees to the local council, and you should never be left with less than £21.15 a week for your personal expenses (or £21.38 if you live in Wales).

So, for example, if your weekly income is £240 and the care home's fees are £350 a week, you will keep £21.15 (£21.38 in Wales) and pay the remaining £218.85 (218.62 in Wales) to the local council. The rest of the fees – £131.15 (£131.38 in Wales) – will be paid by the local council.

Your local council also has the discretion to increase your personal allowance above the minimum of £21.15 (£21.38 in Wales) a week, for example:

• to make more money available to your partner if he or she is still living at home (but this might not always be  appropriate because increasing income in this way can sometimes mean that the person still at home may get less benefit); or
• if you are experiencing hardship and, because of your lack of income, are unable to live as independent a life as possible.

If you feel this would be helpful in your case, raise the matter with your local council or ask SeniorLine for advice.

Your local council should tell you how it has worked out how much you should pay towards the cost of your care fees. Ask for this information to be given to you in writing.