Social care
If you have a disability, long-term health condition, or you’re struggling to do daily activities, there is a wide range of support from charities and the government.
Social care is practical support for for things like preparing food, washing, mobility and day to day tasks. The first step to getting social care is having a care needs assessment.
A care needs assessment is where someone from your local council meets you to find out what your needs are, and to decide if you qualify for support. A social worker or other professional will ask you how you manage doing basic tasks. After this the council will decide whether you need help and what kind of support they can offer you.
To get a care needs assessment, contact your local council and ask to speak to Social Services, or Children's Services for a child.
If you have urgent care needs, tell them so that they can prioritise your assessment.
If you contact your council yourself, you can ask a friend or relative to request it for you.
Yes, they can ask the council for a free carer's assessment.
After you have asked for an assessment, you will usually have to wait about 4-6 weeks before the assessment happens.
It can be useful to prepare for the assessment, so that you know what to expect and are ready to explain your care needs.
For many people it’s useful to have a friend or relative with you during the assessment, to help you feel confident and explain your situation to them. If you don’t have anyone that can do this, you may be able to find an advocy support service to help you with this process.
There is no fixed time for how long a council should take to complete your needs asessment, but according to the Social Care Ombudsman it should take about 4-6 weeks, or more if you have complex needs.
You'll need to wait for the council to make their decision on whether you're eligible for support, and if so what support they will provide.
If you want to make a complaint about the assessment, the council should have a complaints procedure on their website that tells you how to do this.
If you've already complained to the council formally but the problem wasn't resolved, you can complain to the Social Care Ombudsman.
The care needs assessment is free.
If you do need care, you may need to pay towards some or all of the cost of your care. The council can arrange a financial assessment which will tell you how much you will need to pay.
If you can get money from the council to pay for your care, they will tell you the amount that you will regularly receive. This amount of money is called a 'personal budget', and you can choose how this money will be managed. You can let the council manage this money for you, which means they will also arrange for your care. Or you can tell the council to send the money to a separate organisation, such as your care provider.
Another option is to tell the council to send the money directly to you, or someone else you choose. This is called 'direct payments'. This gives you more control and flexibility about your care you receive, but it can also make things harder for you to manage. You will need to keep your own records and will be responsible for managing the people who care for you.
If you're already receiving support from your council and will be moving to a new council area, the support you’ll be able to get might be different from what you get now. Contact the council of the area where you will be moving to find out what will be different for you.
There are many organisations that support people and families affected by disabilities. These include national helplines run by Scope (for help with any kind of disability), and Mind (for help with mental health conditions). You can also find support options for a specific disability, as well as local charities and groups.
People with disabilities can get financial support from the government or charities. This could be regular disability benefits, grants, or discounts on council tax and vehicle tax.
It is not easy to understand what you are entitled to. There are several benefits check websites which will take you through the important questions that determine what you can get, and then calculate what is available for you.
If you struggle with that, or your situation is complicated, there are also free specialist advice services who you can talk to.
Benefits calculations are complicated – you will need to get a benefits check or advice to find out.
Yes – you should apply for any that you are eligible for.
If you're given permission to stay in the UK with a 'no recourse to public funds' condition (NRPF), it means means you are not allowed to claim certain welfare benefits. There are some welfare benefits and public support services which can still be accessed by people with NRPF status.
If you have an official document that confirms your immigration status, such as a biometric residence permit, a decision letter from the Home Office, or an online immigration status, then check this for the words 'no public funds'.
The NRPF network website page explains in detail who has recourse to public funds. An immigration adviser can help you understand your right to public funds.
In some cases, such as if you have children or if someone in your household is disabled, then you may be able to get some support from the government. You can read more about this on the NRPF network website.
There are charities that may be able to help you with basic needs.
In some cases you can apply to have your 'no recourse to public funds' condition removed, which would give you access to more government support. You can read about this on the NRPF network website.
Each type of benefits payment has its own route for applying – if you have done a benefits check or had advice you will have been given either the website or phone number to do this. If you believe you will be eligible for a benefit, you should apply as soon as possible, as you will get paid from the day you apply if you are successful.
This depends on which benefits you have applied for. Simpler types of benefits such as Universal Credit will usually take around 5 weeks. Disability benefits can take anything from weeks to 6 months or more in complex situations. If your claim is accepted, you will be paid back for the period you were waiting for a decision.
Some benefit schemes will allow you receive your first payment earlier than scheduled. Once your scheduled payments start, they will then deduct part of this early payment from each month until it is paid back.
Most councils provide emergency financial support as either a one-off grant, or loan that you will need to repay.
If you think they have made a mistake with their decision, you can challenge this. You can get free advice from a specialist benefits advisor to help you with this.
If you are receiving Universal Credit, you will be told what you must do to receive your payments – this may include attending regular appointments, and logging things you’ve done to find work using the online journal system that they will give you access to. If you are struggling to understand what you need to do, or you have an emergency and can’t make an appointment, you should let your work coach know as soon as possible. If you don’t, they may stop your payments.
If anything changes in your life, such as a new job, a change in your income, you become ill, your partner leaves you, or you have a baby, you should contact the office that provides your benefits and let them know what has happened.
You may miss out money that you would otherwise be entitled to if you don’t tell them. If the change will result in you getting less benefits, when they find out, you will have to pay them back for any amount you have overpaid. If they believe you have been intentionally dishonest, you could be in legal trouble.
People with specific disabilities may be able to get a free bus pass for travel anywhere in England. There are rules which say who is eligible for this. It includes people who are blind, partially sighted, deaf, who can't walk easily, who can't talk, or who have a significant learning disability, as well as some other disabilities. You can read the eligibility criteria and apply online.
People with certain disabilities or medical conditions can get a discount card which makes travel by train cheaper. This card is valid for trail travel within England, Scotland and Wales.
Some councils have schemes that give you a discount for fitness or leisure centres, and local attractions. You can find out about the price and eligibility criteria from your council.
Some disabled people can get cheaper or free vehicle tax. This depends on the kind of disability benefits you get. You can find out the rules and how to apply at the turn2us website.
There are discounts on broadband and phone packages for people claiming certain benefits. You can check what's available to you on the Ofcom website.
In some situations the amount of Council Tax you need to pay is less. For example, if you're living on your own, your house is adapted for a disabled person, or you're a student. These are called 'discounts and exemptions', and you can read about how they work in this Money Saving Expert guide.
You can apply for a discount or exemption directly through your council.
If everyone that lives in your house is on a Homes for Ukraine visa, you may be able to get a 50% discount on your Council Tax on the basis that holders of this visa are ‘disregarded’ for Council Tax. Some councils have information about this on their website, but not all of them do. If everyone in your house is on this visa but your council hasn’t given you this discount, contact them to ask for it. There’s more information about how what you can say to them here:
All publicly funded nurseries and schools have a responsibility to help children with special educational needs and disabilities. The person to speak to at your school is called the ‘Special Educational Needs Coordinator’. They are responsible for planning the support for your child.
Colleges should have a staff member who you can talk to. Speak to them to find out about what support they can provide.
In universities, the student services centre can give you information about support that's available for disabled students. If you have physical needs and will be staying in university accommodation, speak to the accommodation office to arrange an accessible room. You can also go to the students' union, who may be able to tell you about disability advocacy groups or peer support groups, or help you deal with problems you may have had with student services.
There is a government scheme called 'access to work' which provides money and other support to help people with disabilities or long-term health conditions to stay in work, or to find work. There are also other organisations that can help you overcome barriers that are making it hard for you to find work or stay in a job.
There are schemes that offer discounted or free travel for people with disabilities.
Most public transport is accessible to wheelchair users, but it’s best to contact the travel company before travel to check if your planned journey will be possible and to reserve a space.
Transport for West Midlands offer advice for people travelling with accessibility needs, including free accessibility products.
If you have a disability you might be able to get a travel card. This will give you free or discounted travel on public transport.
If you’re travelling by taxi, tell them when you book if you will need a wheelchair-accessible taxi. If you can't get out of your wheelchair, the taxi needs to have a ramp and restraints to hold the wheelchair while driving.
You may need to contact a few different taxi companies, as not all of them will have a suitable vehicle available.
Most buses are accessible to wheelchair users, with featuers such as a low floor, ramps, and dedicated wheelchair spaces. But this does vary by area and the specific bus route, so you may want to contact the bus company before you travel to make sure.
There is support available at train stations for people with mobility needs, or who need help with luggage or getting around the station. This is called the 'Passenger Assist' service. The facilities at each station varies, so it's best to book this in advance.
Many coaches are accessible to wheelchair users, with lifts, ramps and dedicated wheelchair spaces. But it's safest to contact the coach company in advance to check if this is available, and to reserve a space. If you use a powered chair, be ready to tell them the dimensions and weight of the chair, as there may be restrictions.
Coach companies probably won’t accept mobility scooters unless they can be folded up.
Many areas have community transport schemes which help people who have difficulty using public transport. These schemes might include a minibus or volunteer drivers.
This is a national scheme that lets people with mobility problems park close to where they need to go. Often you will be able to park for free, but not always.
The Blue Badge lets you park for a limited time in some areas where it's normally not allowed, such as on double yellow lines. But there are still some places where Blue Badge holders aren't allowed to park, including bus lanes, taxi bays, and areas where loading or unloading isn't allowed.
A disabled parking bay is a reserved area on the road for people who have a Blue Badge. If you would like to have a disabled parking bay near your home, you can apply through your council.
You can borrow mobility aids like walking sticks and wheelchairs from the NHS. Speak to a GP or hospital staff about your needs.
The Red Cross also let you borrow or rent mobility aids.
Shopmobility also rent mobility aids out for people to do shopping or visit leisure facilities in a town or shopping centre.
There are laws to protect the rights of people with disabilities. These cover areas of life including work, study, or going out in public to places like hospitals, shops and banks.
If you’ve been treated badly because of a disability, there are organisations that can give you advice on what to do.
If you regularly provide care for someone, there is support available to you. This could include training, group support, or financial support from the government. The first step to finding out if you can get support from the government is to have a Carer’s Assessment.
A Carer's Assessment is where someone from your local council meets you to find out what your needs are as a carer, and decide if you qualify for support. The support that could be available includes training for you, financial support, equipment, help with tasks in the home, or respite breaks.
A Carer's Assessment is free, and anyone who is providing regular unpaid care for someone can request it.
Contact social services at your local council and ask for a carer's assessment.
It can be useful to prepare for the assessment, so that you know what to expect and are ready to explain the way providing care affects your life.
You'll need to wait for the council to make their decision on whether you're eligible for support, and if so what support they can provide.
If you want to make a complaint about the assessment, the council should have a complaints procedure on their website that tells you how to make a complaint.
There may be organisations that can offer you advice on what you can do next.
Yes, they can ask the council for a free care needs assessment.
A care needs assessment is where someone from your local council meets you to find out what your needs are, and to decide if you qualify for support. A social worker or other professional will ask you how you manage doing basic tasks. After this the council will decide whether you need help and what kind of support they can offer you.
To get a care needs assessment, contact your local council and ask to speak to Social Services, or Children's Services for a child.
If you have urgent care needs, tell them so that they can prioritise your assessment.
If you contact your council yourself, you can ask a friend or relative to request it for you.
Yes, they can ask the council for a free carer's assessment.
After you have asked for an assessment, you will usually have to wait about 4-6 weeks before the assessment happens.
It can be useful to prepare for the assessment, so that you know what to expect and are ready to explain your care needs.
For many people it’s useful to have a friend or relative with you during the assessment, to help you feel confident and explain your situation to them. If you don’t have anyone that can do this, you may be able to find an advocy support service to help you with this process.
There is no fixed time for how long a council should take to complete your needs asessment, but according to the Social Care Ombudsman it should take about 4-6 weeks, or more if you have complex needs.
You'll need to wait for the council to make their decision on whether you're eligible for support, and if so what support they will provide.
If you want to make a complaint about the assessment, the council should have a complaints procedure on their website that tells you how to do this.
If you've already complained to the council formally but the problem wasn't resolved, you can complain to the Social Care Ombudsman.
If you spend a lot of time each week caring for someone, you might be able to get regular benefits payments.
It is not easy to understand what you are entitled to. There are several benefits check websites which will take you through the important questions that determine what you can get, and then calculate what is available for you.
If you struggle with that, or your situation is complicated, there are also free specialist advice services who you can talk to.
Benefits calculations are complicated – you will need to get a benefits check or advice to find out.
Yes – you should apply for any that you are eligible for.
If you're given permission to stay in the UK with a 'no recourse to public funds' condition (NRPF), it means means you are not allowed to claim certain welfare benefits. There are some welfare benefits and public support services which can still be accessed by people with NRPF status.
If you have an official document that confirms your immigration status, such as a biometric residence permit, a decision letter from the Home Office, or an online immigration status, then check this for the words 'no public funds'.
The NRPF network website page explains in detail who has recourse to public funds. An immigration adviser can help you understand your right to public funds.
In some cases, such as if you have children or if someone in your household is disabled, then you may be able to get some support from the government. You can read more about this on the NRPF network website.
There are charities that may be able to help you with basic needs.
In some cases you can apply to have your 'no recourse to public funds' condition removed, which would give you access to more government support. You can read about this on the NRPF network website.
Each type of benefits payment has its own route for applying – if you have done a benefits check or had advice you will have been given either the website or phone number to do this. If you believe you will be eligible for a benefit, you should apply as soon as possible, as you will get paid from the day you apply if you are successful.
This depends on which benefits you have applied for. Simpler types of benefits such as Universal Credit will usually take around 5 weeks. Disability benefits can take anything from weeks to 6 months or more in complex situations. If your claim is accepted, you will be paid back for the period you were waiting for a decision.
Some benefit schemes will allow you receive your first payment earlier than scheduled. Once your scheduled payments start, they will then deduct part of this early payment from each month until it is paid back.
Most councils provide emergency financial support as either a one-off grant, or loan that you will need to repay.
If you think they have made a mistake with their decision, you can challenge this. You can get free advice from a specialist benefits advisor to help you with this.
If you are receiving Universal Credit, you will be told what you must do to receive your payments – this may include attending regular appointments, and logging things you’ve done to find work using the online journal system that they will give you access to. If you are struggling to understand what you need to do, or you have an emergency and can’t make an appointment, you should let your work coach know as soon as possible. If you don’t, they may stop your payments.
If anything changes in your life, such as a new job, a change in your income, you become ill, your partner leaves you, or you have a baby, you should contact the office that provides your benefits and let them know what has happened.
You may miss out money that you would otherwise be entitled to if you don’t tell them. If the change will result in you getting less benefits, when they find out, you will have to pay them back for any amount you have overpaid. If they believe you have been intentionally dishonest, you could be in legal trouble.
If you’re a carer there are several options for getting a break from your caring responsibilities. Getting a carer's assessment is a first step to finding out what kind of breaks you could be eligible for.
A Carer's Assessment is where someone from your local council meets you to find out what your needs are as a carer, and decide if you qualify for support. The support that could be available includes training for you, financial support, equipment, help with tasks in the home, or respite breaks.
A Carer's Assessment is free, and anyone who is providing regular unpaid care for someone can request it.
Contact social services at your local council and ask for a carer's assessment.
It can be useful to prepare for the assessment, so that you know what to expect and are ready to explain the way providing care affects your life.
You'll need to wait for the council to make their decision on whether you're eligible for support, and if so what support they can provide.
If you want to make a complaint about the assessment, the council should have a complaints procedure on their website that tells you how to make a complaint.
There may be organisations that can offer you advice on what you can do next.
Yes, they can ask the council for a free care needs assessment.
A care needs assessment is where someone from your local council meets you to find out what your needs are, and to decide if you qualify for support. A social worker or other professional will ask you how you manage doing basic tasks. After this the council will decide whether you need help and what kind of support they can offer you.
To get a care needs assessment, contact your local council and ask to speak to Social Services, or Children's Services for a child.
If you have urgent care needs, tell them so that they can prioritise your assessment.
If you contact your council yourself, you can ask a friend or relative to request it for you.
Yes, they can ask the council for a free carer's assessment.
After you have asked for an assessment, you will usually have to wait about 4-6 weeks before the assessment happens.
It can be useful to prepare for the assessment, so that you know what to expect and are ready to explain your care needs.
For many people it’s useful to have a friend or relative with you during the assessment, to help you feel confident and explain your situation to them. If you don’t have anyone that can do this, you may be able to find an advocy support service to help you with this process.
There is no fixed time for how long a council should take to complete your needs asessment, but according to the Social Care Ombudsman it should take about 4-6 weeks, or more if you have complex needs.
You'll need to wait for the council to make their decision on whether you're eligible for support, and if so what support they will provide.
If you want to make a complaint about the assessment, the council should have a complaints procedure on their website that tells you how to do this.
If you've already complained to the council formally but the problem wasn't resolved, you can complain to the Social Care Ombudsman.
You might be able to find friends or family members who can do your caring responsibilities while you take a break. Another option is to hire a paid care worker.
The person you're caring for might also be able to go into short-term residential care.
During your carer's assessment you can ask if there is financial support for you to take breaks. You could also see if there are any grants available, or get advice from a charity about what options might be available.
A Carer's Assessment is where someone from your local council meets you to find out what your needs are as a carer, and decide if you qualify for support. The support that could be available includes training for you, financial support, equipment, help with tasks in the home, or respite breaks.
A Carer's Assessment is free, and anyone who is providing regular unpaid care for someone can request it.
Contact social services at your local council and ask for a carer's assessment.
It can be useful to prepare for the assessment, so that you know what to expect and are ready to explain the way providing care affects your life.
You'll need to wait for the council to make their decision on whether you're eligible for support, and if so what support they can provide.
If you want to make a complaint about the assessment, the council should have a complaints procedure on their website that tells you how to make a complaint.
There may be organisations that can offer you advice on what you can do next.
Yes, they can ask the council for a free care needs assessment.
A care needs assessment is where someone from your local council meets you to find out what your needs are, and to decide if you qualify for support. A social worker or other professional will ask you how you manage doing basic tasks. After this the council will decide whether you need help and what kind of support they can offer you.
To get a care needs assessment, contact your local council and ask to speak to Social Services, or Children's Services for a child.
If you have urgent care needs, tell them so that they can prioritise your assessment.
If you contact your council yourself, you can ask a friend or relative to request it for you.
Yes, they can ask the council for a free carer's assessment.
After you have asked for an assessment, you will usually have to wait about 4-6 weeks before the assessment happens.
It can be useful to prepare for the assessment, so that you know what to expect and are ready to explain your care needs.
For many people it’s useful to have a friend or relative with you during the assessment, to help you feel confident and explain your situation to them. If you don’t have anyone that can do this, you may be able to find an advocy support service to help you with this process.
There is no fixed time for how long a council should take to complete your needs asessment, but according to the Social Care Ombudsman it should take about 4-6 weeks, or more if you have complex needs.
You'll need to wait for the council to make their decision on whether you're eligible for support, and if so what support they will provide.
If you want to make a complaint about the assessment, the council should have a complaints procedure on their website that tells you how to do this.
If you've already complained to the council formally but the problem wasn't resolved, you can complain to the Social Care Ombudsman.
If you regularly look after someone because they're ill, disabled or they're an older person, it means you're a carer. Even if the person you're looking after is part of your family, this still counts as being a carer.
If you have long-term complex health needs then you may be able to get free health and social care via a scheme called ‘NHS continuing healthcare’. This care is provided to you where you live, such as in your home or in a care home. Usually you will be referred for continuing healthcare by a healthcare professional such as your doctor.
If you are referred for continuing healthcare there will be needs assessments to find out what your needs are, and to check whether you qualify for the scheme. If you are eligible, they will provide you with a care plan. If you aren’t eligible, you may still be able to get social care via the council.
The continuing healthcare process can be complicated. You can read more about it on the NHS website, and there may be support services that can offer you advice.