Eligibility criteria for local authority funded care
Here we summarise the three main criteria (conditions) that someone must meet to be eligible for local authority funded care or support.
- Assessment for care and support in England
- Support for people with dementia: the care needs assessment
- You are here: Eligibility criteria for local authority funded care
- Carers' assessments
- Financial assessments for carers
- Carer's eligibility criteria
- Care and support plans
- Assessment for care and support - reviews and complaints
- Assessment for care and support - other resources
Assessment for care and support
Eligibility criteria
- The person's needs are due to a physical or mental impairment or illness (this includes dementia).
- Due to the person's dementia (or other illness) the person is unable to do any two of the items listed; or if they don't have assistance will put themselves in pain, distress, anxiety or danger (or someone else in danger); or it takes significantly longer without assistance to:
- manage and maintain their nutrition - for example, have access to food and drink and be able to prepare and eat or drink it
- maintain their personal hygiene - for example, be able to wash themselves and wash their own clothes
- manage their own toilet needs - for example, be able to access and use the toilet
- be appropriately clothed - for example, be able to dress themselves appropriately for the weather or to maintain health
- safely make use of their home - for example, move around (including steps and stairs), access the bathroom, use the kitchen safely and access the property safely
- maintain a habitable home environment - for example, be able to sufficiently clean their home and maintain amenities such as water, electricity and gas
- develop and maintain family or other personal relationships - for example, avoiding becoming isolated
- access and engage in work, training, education or volunteering - for example, be able to partake in these activities, taking into account physical access and support to participate
- make use of necessary facilities or services in the local community including public transport and recreational facilities and services - for example, public transport, shops or other services
- carry out any caring responsibilities they may have.
- Due to not being able to do at least two of the above there is, or is likely to be, a significant impact on the person's wellbeing.
If someone is told that they do not have eligible care needs and they believe they do, they will need to put in a complaint. They should outline why they believe their needs do meet the criteria.