Check your eligibility for care
Find out how we decide whether your needs make you eligible to receive council care.
How we assess your eligibility for care
If you ask us to look at your care needs, we’ll assess them in line with criteria set out in the Care Act 2014.
We assess your need for care based on:
- your physical and mental health
- what you need help with
- your wellbeing
An assessment will help identify what care or support would help you become or stay independent, safe and well.
Your physical and mental health
To meet the eligibility criteria for council-funded care, your needs must arise from physical or mental health conditions that affect your ability to carry out at least 2 daily tasks.
What you need help with
We will also assess your ability to perform daily tasks. These are:
- shopping for food, preparing a meal, eating a healthy diet, or drinking plenty of fluids
- keeping yourself clean
- getting to and using the toilet
- dressing or undressing or keeping your clothes clean
- moving around inside and outside
- keeping your home clean and tidy
- staying in contact with your friends and family
- working in a job, learning at school or college, or volunteering (where relevant)
- taking part in social activities and using local facilities
- caring for a child that you look after (where relevant)
Your wellbeing
The last stage of eligibility criteria is whether there is a significant impact on your wellbeing if you cannot achieve the daily activities listed.
When we consider the impact on your wellbeing, we look at:
- personal dignity
- control over your day to day life
- taking part in education
- work or social activities
- relationships with other people
- having suitable accommodation
- protection from abuse and neglect
Requesting a care needs assessment
Learn more about the care needs assessment process
Paying for care
Care provided by the council is means-tested.
If you have more than £23,250 in savings and investments, you’ll have to pay for all care services you receive.
If you have less than this amount, the council will help pay for your care. It’s likely that you’ll still need to contribute financially though.
The rules are slightly different depending on your circumstances.
Find out more about paying for care
Find out what support is available in the community
If you need extra help, we recommend investigating community support options first. You can:
- talk to someone at Together for Sutton for free confidential help and advice
- explore services, groups and activities on Sutton Information Hub
Check your eligibility
The care needs checklist will show if you’re likely to receive support and will direct you to a form where you can request a care needs assessment.