Free CHC & Care Funding Guides

Free, evidence-based guides on UK care funding. Written in plain English, based on primary legislation.

All articles are reviewed by social workers and care professionals. Our content follows an independent editorial policy with named sources, published dates, and a clear corrections process.

What is the CHC Decision Support Tool (DST)? A Family Guide

The Decision Support Tool decides every NHS Continuing Healthcare case. 12 domains, 5 scoring levels, and one legal test. Here's what families need to know.

Guide

What to Include in a CHC Appeal Letter (with Template)

The 6-part anatomy of a CHC appeal letter — DST rebuttal, evidence map, Primary Health Need, IRP escalation. 15% succeed at Stage 1. Free template included.

Guide

Who Pays for a Care Home? UK Care Funding Explained (2026)

Four payers fund UK care homes: NHS, council, resident, or family. Only 16.65% of those assessed claim free NHS funding — here's who pays what in 2026.

Guide

Who Qualifies for CHC Funding in 2026? A Family Guide

Who qualifies for CHC funding in 2026? Most standard CHC assessments are refused, and Fast Track is a separate route. How to tell which one fits your case.

Guide

Attendance Allowance Conditions: Why There Is No Official List

There is no DWP list of 56 conditions for Attendance Allowance. Eligibility turns on the help you need, not your diagnosis. What the DWP actually assesses.

Attendance Allowance

Attendance Allowance Pitfalls: 5 Mistakes That Get Claims Refused

The five mistakes that sink Attendance Allowance claims: claiming before the six-month threshold, describing a best day on the AA1, settling for the lower rate, missing the 28-day care home rule, and overlooking CHC entirely.

Attendance Allowance

How to Apply for Attendance Allowance: The AA1 Form Step by Step

How to complete the AA1 Attendance Allowance claim form: what each section is really asking, the evidence to include, and the answers that get claims refused.

Attendance Allowance

Care Home Fees: Are Next of Kin Responsible?

Next of kin are not legally liable for care home fees under the Care Act 2014. Learn when liability arises and how to protect your family financially.

Care Home Costs

How to Avoid Paying Care Home Fees: 4 Legal Routes (2026)

How to avoid paying care home fees legally in 2026. Only NHS Continuing Healthcare removes fees entirely — no means test. Compare all 4 legal routes, limits, and how to claim.

Care Home Costs

Tenants in Common: Essential Care Fee Guide

Tenants in common protects a spouse's 50% property share from the £23,250 care home means test but not both partners. Learn the limits and alternatives.

Care Home Costs

Care Home Costs UK 2026–27: Fees, Means Test & NHS Funding

UK care homes cost £1,042–£1,594/week (Laing Buisson, 2025). The means test threshold is £23,250, frozen since 2010. NHS CHC covers 100% — no means test.

Care Home Costs