Eligibility criteria for adult social care and support

The Care and Support (Eligibility Criteria) Regulations 2015 set out national eligibility criteria for access to adult care and support, and for access to carer support. The same eligibility threshold applies across the country and local authorities cannot restrict eligibility beyond this level.

Eligibility determination must be made after the needs assessment.

Plymouth, and all local authorities, have a duty to meet the eligible needs of carers and the regulations and guidance set out how the eligibility threshold applies to carers.

Local authorities have the power to meet needs that are not considered eligible. This means that local authorities can support people at an early stage to help maintain wellbeing and independence, and potentially delay a situation where longer-term care and support might be required.

The national eligibility criteria require that in order for needs to be eligible, they must relate to an impairment or illness, mean a person cannot achieve at least two outcomes in their day-to-day life, and that as a result there is a significant impact on their wellbeing. The eligibility determination must be made without regard to whether a carer might be meeting those needs at the given time.

The Social Care Institute of Excellence has published various articles that explain how this works in more detail.

• Care Act 2014
• Eligibility determination
• Key messages
• Defining outcomes
• Wellbeing
• Eligibility outcomes
• Eligibility criteria
• Significant impact
• Determining eligibility
• Implications for practitioners
• Support services