Funded Nursing Care (FNC) Explained

If your loved one moves into a nursing home, you might be entitled to financial help directly from the NHS — regardless of your personal wealth. The NHS Funded Nursing Care (FNC) contribution is a weekly payment that heavily subsidises the cost of registered nursing care.

What is NHS Funded Nursing Care (FNC)?

The NHS Funded Nursing Care contribution (often just called FNC) is a tax-free, non-means-tested payment made directly by the NHS to a nursing home. It is designed to cover the specific cost of the care provided by a registered nurse.

Because the NHS is legally required to provide free healthcare at the point of need, it must step in to pay for the "healthcare" aspect of your care home fees, even if you are self-funding the "social care" and "accommodation" aspects.

How much is the FNC rate in 2024/25?

For the 2024/25 financial year, the standard weekly rate in England is £235.88 per week.

There is also a "higher rate" of £324.50 per week, but this only applies to individuals who were already receiving the higher rate before 1 October 2007 (a very rare scenario today).

Scotland operates a different system called Free Personal and Nursing Care (FPNC) which comprises a personal care payment and a smaller nursing payment.

Who is eligible for FNC?

To qualify for the FNC payment, strict criteria must be met:

• You must live in a registered nursing home. You cannot receive FNC if you live in a residential-only care home or if you receive care in your own house.
• You must have a nursing need. A registered nurse from the NHS or local Integrated Care Board (ICB) must assess you and confirm that your care requires the supervision of a registered nurse.
• You do not qualify for full CHC. You must have been assessed for NHS Continuing Healthcare (CHC) and found not to be eligible for full funding.

How does FNC affect what you pay?

It is crucial to understand that FNC is paid directly to the nursing home, not into your bank account.

How it affects your bill depends on your contract with the nursing home:

• Gross fee contracts: If the care home quoted you a "gross fee" of £1,500 a week, they will deduct the FNC. You will pay £1,264.12, and the NHS pays £235.88.
• Net fee contracts: If the care home quoted you a "net fee" of £1,500 a week, this means they already assumed the NHS would pay the FNC on top. You will pay £1,500, and the care home will receive an additional £235.88 from the NHS. Always check your contract to be sure!

How to apply for FNC

Before moving into a nursing home, the hospital discharge team, your GP, or social worker should arrange a Checklist Assessment. This assesses whether you qualify for full NHS Continuing Healthcare (CHC). Focus on getting the CHC checklist done first.

If you do not qualify for full CHC, the assessor will automatically determine if you are eligible for the FNC contribution instead. Once approved, the local Integrated Care Board handles the payments with the nursing home directly.