Standard rates

Standard rates

Every year, local councils set standard rates that they'll pay towards care home fees.

Your council may pay part of your care home fees.

They will do this if your capital is below the lower limit.

Capital means how much money you have. This could include:

• money you have in the bank
• money you have invested in things like your house if you own it, or other property
• other investments, like shares in companies

Every year councils have an agreement with private and charity-run care homes to pay standard rates.

Standard rates do not apply to council-run care homes.

If you have capital above the upper limit, you must pay your care home fees yourself. This will not affect any free personal or nursing care you’re entitled to. The amount you pay is agreed between you and the care home provider.

Standard rates

The interim standard rates for 2024/2025 are: 

• £948.59 a week for nursing care
• £825.94 a week for residential care

Your choice of care home

You can choose a care home that charges above your council’s standard rate. This means you – or a third party like a relative, friend or charity – will have to pay the difference.

For more information read about additional charges for care homes.

Before you enter the care home, you should be given a contract that sets out what will be provided and how much it will cost.

For more information read about contracts with care homes.

Further information

The payment of care home fees is a complex subject and depends on many things that are unique to you.

If you want personal advice, ask an independent adviser like:

• Citizens Advice Scotland – phone 0800 028 1456, Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm.
• Age Scotland – their fact sheets have information on paying for care homes, or call their helpline on 0800 12 44 222.