If someone moves into a care home permanently and their care is paid for by the local council, the value of their home can be ignored for the first 12 weeks of care. This gives families time to decide what to do with the home and how to fund long-term care.
Note:
- The 12 weeks includes any trial period.
- Only the home’s value is ignored — other income and savings still count in the financial assessment.
Does it apply to any property?
No. It only applies to the person’s main or only home — the one they lived in before moving into care.
Example:
If someone lived with family or rented somewhere before moving into care, but still owns another property they didn’t live in, that property can’t be disregarded under this rule.
Can someone have more than one 12‐Week Property Disregard?
Yes — but only in certain cases.
If someone leaves permanent care before 12 weeks are up and then returns to care within a year, they can use up the unused balance of the 12 weeks.
If they return after more than 52 weeks, they can start a new 12‐Week Disregard.
When is the 12‐Week Disregard applied?
- When someone moves into permanent local authority–funded care for the first time.
- If an existing disregard suddenly ends — for example, if a spouse or relative living in the home passes away or moves out, making the property count again.
Example:
Mary and Jim are married. Mary goes into care. The home’s value is ignored because Jim still lives there. If Jim dies, Mary now owns the home, and no one else is living in it. The council may now count the home's value — and the 12‐week disregard would be applied to give Mary time to plan.
What if the person used to pay privately?
If someone paid for their own care (a former "Self Funder") and later asks the council for help after 12 weeks in care, they won’t get the 12‐Week Property Disregard.
If they ask for help before 12 weeks is up, the council may only disregard the home for the remaining weeks (e.g., if they’ve been in care 9 weeks already, they’d get 3 weeks).
They might be able to apply for a Deferred Payment Agreement instead - seek professional advice before proceeding.
Can someone pay extra (Top-Up)?
Yes — during the 12 weeks, the person can pay extra themselves (a “1st party top-up”) if they have enough money not tied up in the property.
If they can’t afford it, someone else (like a family member) can pay the top-up — this is called a 3rd party top-up.
What if the home is sold during the 12 weeks?
If the person sells their home during the 12 weeks, the disregard ends immediately. The money from the sale will be counted, and the person will have to start paying the full cost of care.