Following your care assessment we will use the information gathered in the assessment to decide if you are eligible for support from the council using the national eligibility criteria outlined below. Your social care worker will explain the process to you.
Your needs meet the national eligibility criteria if:
- Your needs arise from, or are related to, a physical or mental impairment or illness (this includes conditions such as physical, mental, sensory, learning or cognitive disabilities or illnesses and brain injuries)
and
- As a result of your needs, you are unable to achieve two or more of the outcomes specified in the table below
and
- As a consequence there is, or is likely to be, a significant impact on your wellbeing
| Specified outcome | Examples of how the council should consider each outcome |
|---|---|
| a) Managing and maintaining nutrition | Does the adult have access to food and drink? Is the adult able to prepare and consume the food and drink? |
| b) Maintaining personal hygiene | Is the adult able to bathe/wash themselves? Can they launder their clothes? |
| c) Managing toilet needs | Can the adult access the toilet unaided? Can they manage their toilet needs? |
| d) Being appropriately clothed | Are they able to dress themselves and be appropriately dressed? Are they able to dress appropriately for different weather conditions? |
| e) Being able to make use of their home safely | Can the adult access their property and move around their home safely? For example, are they able to access and use the bathroom and kitchen facilities? Also, consider fire safety risks. |
| f) Maintaining a habitable home environment | Is the home sufficiently clean and maintained to be safe? Do they need support to sustain their occupancy and maintain amenities such as water, electricity and gas? |
| g) Developing or maintaining family or personal relationships | Is the adult lonely or isolated? Do their needs prevent them maintaining/developing personal relationships? |
| h) Accessing and engaging in work training education or volunteering | Does the adult have the opportunity to apply themselves and contribute to society through work, training, education or volunteering? Can they physically access facility/support to participate? |
| i) Making use of necessary facilities/services in the local community including public transport and recreational facilities or services | Can they get around their community safely and use facilities such as public transport, shops or recreational facilities? Is support needed to attend healthcare appointments? (The council is not responsible for provision of NHS services such as patient transport.) |
| j) Carrying out any caring responsibilities the adult has for a child | Does the adult have any parenting or caring responsibilities? |
In determining whether the adult's needs meet the eligibility criteria, and where the level of an adult's needs fluctuates, we must take into account the adult's circumstances over such period as we consider necessary to establish accurately the adult's level of need.
For more information please see our care and support and meeting your needs policy.
Eligibility for social care frequently asked questions
In relation to the outcomes, how is "unable to achieve" defined by the national eligibility criteria?
An adult is regarded as being unable to achieve an outcome if the adult:
- Is unable to achieve it without assistance, or
- Is able to achieve it without assistance but doing so causes the adult significant pain, distress or anxiety, or
- Is able to achieve it without assistance but doing so endangers or is likely to endanger the health or safety of the adult, or of others, or
- Is able to achieve it without assistance but takes significantly longer than would normally be expected
How is wellbeing defined by the national eligibility criteria?
The Care Act defines wellbeing in relation to the nine areas listed below:
- Personal dignity (treating the individual with respect)
- Physical and mental health and emotional wellbeing
- Protection from abuse and neglect
- Control by the individual over day to day life (including over care and support)
- Participating in work, education, training and recreation
- Social and economic wellbeing
- Domestic, family and personal relationships
- Suitability of living accommodation
- The individual's contribution to society
What happens if I have eligible needs for care and support from the council?
We will complete a financial assessment as well as a care assessment to find out what financial help you may be entitled to.
What happens if I am not eligible for care and support from the council?
As well as letting you know the eligibility decision in writing, we will also provide you with information and advice on what other support might be available to help you. Even if you are not eligible for financial assistance, we can work with you to help you organise and arrange the services you need.