IS20 - A guide to Income Support

Help if you live in a care home

Introduction

This section explains the rules about Income Support and other benefits for people who live in care homes.

The community care arrangements were introduced on 1 April 1993. Since then, people who need financial assistance to enter a care home must seek assistance from their local council’s Social Services Department (Social Work Department in Scotland). The local council will assess your care needs and will find you a place in a home or help you choose one if you need this kind of care. They will pay for your care but will assess you if you can contribute to the cost.

This information on care homes refers to the local authority Social Services Department throughout. For people in Scotland this also means Social Work Department.

Complete Care Home Guide available from Counsel & Care Organisation (advice line 0845 300 7585) - applies in England and Wales only. In Scotland, Age Concern (Scotland) can advise (helpline 0845 125 9732).

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