Advice

When should I chase up the local authority as we’re waiting for them to do assessments?

Question:

I’ve been waiting six weeks for the local authority to complete a care and financial assessment. Is this normal or should I chase it up with them?

Answer:

It’s not unusual to wait weeks for a care assessment and a financial assessment. But there may still be good reasons for you to contact the local authority.

How long is too long to wait for an assessment?

There isn’t a fixed time that local authorities must complete assessments within. The law just says they must be ‘timely’, and it depends on the urgency of the situation.

Each country in the UK has an ombudsman to deal with complaints about local authorities.

In England and Wales, the ombudsman usually expects an assessment to take place within four to six weeks. But there is flexibility so that authorities can prioritise urgent requests.

In Northern Ireland, assessments should be done within eight weeks.

The local authority should keep you informed and give you an ‘indicative timescale’ – how long they think you’ll need to wait. If they haven’t, then ask them.

Has your situation changed since you asked to be assessed?

Let the local authority know if your situation has changed since you first contacted them. For example, if your health has been affected or if a friend or relative can no longer help you.

Ensure the authority knows about all your needs that aren’t being met and the impact this is having on you.

If the situation isn’t safe for you, they should assess you sooner or arrange for more support in the meantime.

What about unpaid care costs while you’re waiting?

The financial assessment usually takes place around the same time as the care assessment. But sometimes the financial assessment is done much later.

Local authorities must give you enough information to know roughly how much you’ll have to pay for care, based on your circumstances. If they haven’t, ask for this to avoid any surprises down the line.

A delayed financial assessment could mean that care you already have in place isn’t being paid for. If that happens, a homecare agency may say they’ll withdraw support or a care home may give an eviction notice.

Stress the urgency of this to the local authority. If there are no other ways to cover care costs, make this clear to them. Keep the care provider informed, so they know what is happening.

What if you’re paying costs while waiting? 

If the financial assessment is delayed, you might be spending money on care that the local authority should be paying for.

It’s best to ask for the assessment at least six weeks before care costs reduce your savings to the ‘upper capital limit’. 

This is the point where you’re entitled to help with costs from the authority. Funding will usually only be backdated to when they did the assessment, not to when you asked for one.

But you could ask for backdated payments if you can show you contacted them well in advance and the assessment was delayed unreasonably.

Keeping track of your contacts

Every time you have contact with the local authority, make a note of dates, staff names and correspondence. This can help keep track when you have a lot to think about.

If you aren’t getting the information or care you need, and the authority doesn’t seem to be taking your concerns seriously, you may need to make a complaint.

This can be frustrating, but it’s sometimes necessary to keep you safe and well. Having your own records can support you with this.

More information about assessments

Read more about assessments for care and support in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.