NHS-funded Nursing Care (FNC)
A weekly NHS payment towards the nursing element of a nursing home place, for people who need nursing care but do not qualify for full CHC.
Figures on this page are 2026/27 tax year rates, checked 2 August 2026. UK benefit rates and care charging thresholds change every April.
NHS-funded Nursing Care is a flat weekly payment the NHS makes to a nursing home towards the cost of care delivered by a registered nurse.
For 2026/27 the standard rate is £267.68 a week. A higher rate of £368.24 a week applies only to a small group who were placed on the old high band before the system changed and have stayed on it.
Who qualifies
Three things must be true:
- You live in a care home registered to provide nursing care
- You have been assessed as needing care from a registered nurse
- You have been assessed as not eligible for full NHS Continuing Healthcare
That third point matters. FNC is what you get when CHC has been ruled out, so you should always be assessed for CHC first. Being offered FNC without a CHC assessment is a reason to ask questions.
How it is paid
The money goes directly to the home, never to you. Your invoice should fall by the same amount.
Check this. If your fees have not reduced, ask the home to show you how the FNC contribution has been applied.
What it does not cover
FNC only touches the nursing element. Accommodation, meals and personal care are still charged, and still means tested in the normal way.
For most people it is a useful but partial contribution against a nursing home fee that runs well above it.
Getting assessed
Ask the integrated care board, your GP, the hospital discharge team or the care home manager to arrange an assessment. It normally happens alongside a CHC Checklist.
Reassessments should happen when your needs change. If you are getting FNC and your health deteriorates, ask for a fresh CHC assessment rather than assuming the door is closed.
Common questions
How much is NHS-funded Nursing Care?
The standard rate is £267.68 a week for 2026/27, paid directly to the nursing home rather than to you. A higher rate of £368.24 a week applies to a small group of people on the old high band.
Is NHS-funded Nursing Care means tested?
No. FNC is not means tested. It is paid on the basis of needing nursing care, regardless of your finances. The rest of the care home fee is still means tested.
Do I get the money?
No. It goes straight to the nursing home. Your fees should reduce by the same amount, so check your invoice carefully to make sure the contribution has been passed on.
Can I get FNC and Continuing Healthcare?
No. They are alternatives. CHC covers the entire cost of your care. FNC is a smaller contribution for people assessed as not eligible for CHC. You should always be assessed for CHC first.
Sources
- NHS — NHS-funded nursing care accessed 2 August 2026
- DHSC — National Framework for NHS Continuing Healthcare and NHS-funded Nursing Care accessed 2 August 2026
This page is general information about how care funding works in England. It is not financial, legal or medical advice, and it does not replace an assessment by your local council or the NHS. Carevo is not a care provider.