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Help from the local council: people with illnesses or disabilities

Index

You can read through this information sheet, or go directly to the sections you want to read by clicking on these links:

• Who does it help?
• How do I claim?
• Do I have to pay for services the local council provide?
• If you have been in hospital

Who does it help?

If you have an illness or a disability, you may need help to continue living at home. For example, you may need someone to come in and help with personal things like washing, dressing, shopping, cooking. Or you might need equipment to help with mobility or daily living tasks

These services can be provided by your local council:

• Social services in England and Wales
• The social work department in Scotland
• The Health and Social Care Trusts in Northern Ireland.

How do I claim?

The first step is to have your needs assessed by these services through a Health and Social Care Assessment (also sometimes called a 'community care assessment' or an 'assessment of need').

Once you have been assessed, depending on your care needs, they will draw up a care plan outlining what help you should have and how this can be given. Services may be provided by social services, voluntary organisations and/or private companies.

Contact your local council (link opens in a new window) for more information.

Do I have to pay for services provided by the local council?

You might have to pay for community care services.  This depends on arrangements in your local area as well as your income and savings.

If your local council is paying for the services, you can choose to get money directly from your local authority to choose and buy the services you need yourself through what is known as direct payments. Otherwise your local authority will pay the care worker directly.

If you have been in hospital

If you have been in hospital, you should not be discharged until you have had an assessment of your continuing health care needs and, where necessary, of your community care needs.

Last updated: 6 April 2012