Independent financial advice

If you’re planning or paying for adult social care, it’s important to get independent financial advice to help you make informed decisions, understand your options, and manage your money effectively.

Why it matters

If you're thinking about how to pay for care and support, it's important to understand all your options. The Care Act says councils must help people access independent financial advice. Especially if you’re likely to contribute towards your care costs.

Independent advice helps you:

  • Make informed decisions
  • Plan for future care needs
  • Make your money go further

You can choose to pay for care yourself or ask the council for support. Either way, getting advice early can help you avoid costly mistakes.

What is independent financial advice?

Independent financial advice is:

  • Free of charge
  • Not linked to any financial products
  • Focused on helping you understand your situation and options

Advisers will:

  • Discuss your personal and financial circumstances
  • Help you understand if you’ll need to pay for care
  • Suggest next steps or refer you to specialist advisers