Getting social care support - Who is entitled to care and support
After an assessment we will determine if you are eligible for care and support using the national eligibility criteria as set by the Care Act 2014.
Eligibility for adults
There are three criteria, all of which must be met for a person’s needs to be eligible.
- Arise from or are related to a physical or mental impairment or illness
- Make you unable to achieve two or more specified outcomes
- Managing and maintaining nutrition
- Maintaining personal hygiene
- Managing toilet needs
- Being appropriately clothed
- Being able to make use of the home safely
- Maintaining a habitable home environment
- Developing and maintaining family or other personal relationships
- Accessing and engaging in work, training, education or volunteering
- Making use of necessary facilities or services in the local community, including public transport and recreational facilities or services
- Carrying out any caring responsibilities the adult has for a child
- As a result of being unable to meet these outcomes, there is likely to be a significant impact on your wellbeing
For further information, please read the guidance on the Care Act 2014 on the GOV.UK website.
What happens if you have eligible care and support needs?
We will develop a support plan with you to explore suitable options for you eligible care and support needs to meet your desired outcomes.
Most people will pay for some or all of their care, depending on their financial situation.
Further information on the financial assessments.
If you qualify for council help with costs, you'll be offered a personal budget.
Your personal budget is the total amount that we think it will cost to buy the care services you need.
To start with this figure will be an estimate and is called your estimated personal budget. We will confirm the final amount after we agree your care and support plan. You will also receive a copy of your care and support plan.
You can choose to get your personal budget in 2 ways, as:
- A direct payment
- The council organises your care and you'll get a regular bill to contributes towards it
What and when will people have to pay for their care?
Once we have agreed the total cost of your care and support, we will work out how much you will be required to contribute towards the cost of all chargeable services you receive. We do this by carrying out a financial assessment which is means tested. The financial assessment may take place in your home or over the telephone.
You can find out more about this on our paying for care page.