Careers allowance

The best way to get help from your local authority is to ask for a needs assessment.

When you get assessed by the local authority, as a minimum you may be given information and signposting to other services, and ways that you might find funding to pay for them. However, if your needs meet the national eligibility criteria, your local authority will have to meet these needs.

The local authority will involve you throughout the assessment to identify what your needs are and how these affect your wellbeing. They will also discuss with you how you wish to live your life, and whether there are certain aims you would like to achieve but are unable to because of your care and support needs.

The assessment will start to consider how your care needs might be met. This may involve identifying how preventative services might help. These could include:

• simple aids, such as devices to open jars and tins more easily
• adaptations to your home, such as handrails
• information about support available in the community

The assessment will also identify if you have a higher level of need, where you may need help in your own home or care in a care home.

The assessment should involve you and take sufficient time to capture all your needs.

Via NHS website