Care funding

If you live in Somerset, are at least 18 years old and have a care need that significantly affects your wellbeing, we may be able to help you pay for your care and support. For example, if you have difficulties with:

• your personal care
• staying independent
• keeping safe
• staying physically and mentally well
• maintaining relationships that are important to you

We may also support you if you are providing necessary care for someone else and are not being paid to do so. Please see our carers information.

We cannot financially help everyone who asks because we are only able to support people who meet the National Eligibility Criteria. If you do not meet the criteria we will still check to see if there is another person or organisation who could reasonably be expected to help you.

We will only help you pay for unmet eligible needs. These are things that cannot be provided in any other way, or by anyone else.

You can also use our quick online checker to give you an indication of whether you might be eligible for financial support with the cost of your care. This should not be considered a decision and the final outcome of your assessment may differ. But it can give you an indication which can help you decide whether you would like to make an application.

Wellbeing

Wellbeing is a broad concept, and relates to:

• personal dignity including being treated with respect
• physical and mental health, and emotional wellbeing
• protection from abuse and neglect
• control over day-to-day life including how care and support is provided
• participation in work, education, training or recreation
• social and economic wellbeing
• domestic, family and personal life
• suitability of living accommodation
• contribution to society

National Eligibility Criteria

The criteria are based on identifying how your needs affect your wellbeing. If you meet all the following criteria, you are likely to be eligible:

• If your care needs are due to a physical impairment or mental impairment or illness
• If as a result of your care needs you are unable to achieve two or more of these things:
  • managing and maintaining nutrition
  • maintaining personal hygiene
  • managing toilet needs
  • being appropriately clothed
  • being able to make use of your home safely
  • maintaining a habitable 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 an adult has for a child
• If as a result of not being able to achieve these things, it has a significant impact on your wellbeing

Financial eligibility

If you are eligible following a care and support assessment, we will then carry out a financial assessment. If you have more than £23,250 in capital and savings, you are not eligible. You will be asked to make your own care arrangements and pay the full cost of your care. You can ask us to make arrangements for you if your needs are eligible, but we may charge an arrangement fee for this.

If you have less than £23,250 in capital and savings, we may be able to help you with the cost of your care and support. Depending on your personal circumstances, you may have to pay a contribution towards your care costs.

Independent financial advice

We have lots of information available to help you, but we always recommend that you talk to someone completely independent about money matters. You may want to visit our Independent financial advice page for suggestions of who can help you.