About this assessment
This tool calculates an estimate of the weekly contribution you may be asked to make towards the cost of your care and support services. This applies to people who receive care at home or in the community - not those living in a residential or nursing care home. The calculation follows the rules set out in the Care Act 2014 and Northumberland County Council's 2026/27 charging rates.
To complete this assessment, have the following to hand:
- Details of any savings and investments - your home is never included
- Your State Pension and any private or occupational pension amounts
- Benefit income - for example Attendance Allowance, PIP, DLA or Pension Credit
- Any other regular income you receive
- Details of any extra weekly costs due to your disability (Disability-Related Expenditure / DRE)
- Essential housing costs - rent, mortgage and council tax
A Minimum Income Guarantee (MIG) is automatically applied to protect a level of income for you to live on - you do not need to calculate this yourself.
The calculator will take you through a series of short sections. You can go back and change your answers at any time before viewing your result.
Your contribution cannot exceed the actual cost of the care services you receive, so if the estimated figure is higher than your care package cost you will only pay the lower amount.
Northumberland County Council operates a Fairer Charging Policy in line with statutory guidance for non-residential social services. If you are part of a couple, we can carry out either an individual or a joint assessment - whichever results in the lower charge. This choice does not apply if you and your partner are claiming means-tested benefits (such as Universal Credit) jointly as a couple - in that case you will always be assessed as a couple. An officer will discuss the options with you at your full financial assessment.
Takes approximately 5-10 minutes to complete once you have got all the financial information together.