Fees & Funding

For people over state pension age who are living with a physical or mental disability, or a long-term health condition, funding may be available to help cover support services. In Scotland, this is known as the Pension Age Disability Payment.

To be eligible, your loved one must have required support for at least six months. An assessment is usually not needed unless it is unclear how their care needs affect them.

If you would like greater control over your loved one’s support services, you can apply for direct payments instead of receiving services arranged by your local council. Direct payments allow you to choose and manage the support your loved one receives.

Direct payments are available throughout the UK, although if you live in Scotland or Wales you will need to contact your local council directly to discuss the process. As with CHC and local authority funding, direct payments have eligibility criteria. These include being over 16, having already had a social services assessment, and being identified as needing care and support. If your loved one is under 16, direct payments can be made to their carer, including those with parental responsibility.

To apply for funding from your local authority, a care needs assessment must first be carried out. This assessment identifies your loved one’s needs and determines whether they meet the eligibility criteria for support. If the criteria are met, the council will then undertake a financial assessment.

The financial assessment determines whether your loved one is entitled to financial support from the council. Their income and capital, such as savings will be reviewed, although the value of their property is not taken into account.

Local authority funding does not usually cover the full cost of care. Instead, contributions are calculated on a tiered system based on your loved one’s capital. For more detailed information on this funding option, please contact your local authority.

For adults, if healthcare professionals determine that you or a loved one has long-term, complex health needs, you may be eligible for fully funded NHS care, known as NHS Continuing Healthcare (CHC). This support can be provided in a range of settings, including your own home or a care home.

During the eligibility assessment, healthcare professionals will consider the nature of the help required, the complexity of the needs, and how unpredictable or intense those needs may be. You or your loved one should be involved throughout the process so that your views are fully taken into account.

After the assessment, the Integrated Care Board (ICB) will decide whether the eligibility criteria are met and, if so, what level of support is appropriate. Typically, a decision is made within 28 days. If you are not eligible for NHS Continuing Healthcare, you may be referred to your local authority, as you could be eligible for support through them instead.

If your loved one is under state pension age and living with a long-term physical or mental condition, or a disability, and struggles with daily living or mobility due to their care needs, they may be eligible for Personal Independence Payment (PIP). You may still be eligible for PIP even if you or your loved one is working, have savings, or receive other benefits.

There are two types of PIP – daily living and mobility. Daily living PIP may be available if your loved one has difficulty with everyday tasks such as preparing meals, bathing, managing medication, dressing, or budgeting.

Mobility PIP is designed to support those who need help with moving around, leaving home, or navigating routes. It is possible to receive one or both types of PIP, depending on your loved one’s needs.

You may decide that self-funding is the best option for your loved one’s support, as it gives you full autonomy over the services you choose and allows you to liaise directly with the support provider, rather than going through the local authority or the NHS. In some cases, self-funding may also be necessary if your loved one’s capital exceeds the threshold for funded support.

Even if you choose to self-fund, you can still request a needs assessment from your local council. This assessment can help identify what type of care your loved one may require, making it easier to engage with support providers and arrange a suitable package designed to help them live a happy and healthy life.