What is the three-year cap on the family home?
The three-year cap means your principal private residence is only counted in the Fair Deal assessment for the first three years in care — after that it is removed automatically and stops adding to your contribution.
Because the asset contribution is 7.5% per year (3.75% for a couple), three years is the most the home can ever contribute: 22.5% of its value (11.25% for a couple).
The cap also applies to the proceeds if the home is later sold — the sale proceeds of the principal private residence continue to qualify for the same cap rather than being treated as uncapped savings.
Sources: HSE Fair Deal application form (v4, Dec 2025)
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