If one of a couple is in a care home and the other remains in their home it has to be disregarded by Social Services and is not taken into account in assessing your father’s ability to pay for his care. The spouse will not be required to sell their home.

Social Services also have to disregard a house if it is lived in by a relative aged 60 or over, an incapacitated relative, a child under 16 for whom the resident is responsible for.

Social Services also have the discretion to ignore the value of homes in other circumstances, such as if it is lived in by a carer who gave up their own home in order to provide care.

You can read more about paying for a care home in our leaflet Paying for your care home (PDF), available to download from the housing and home safety advice page.