Funding and Eligibility
Understanding how to fund care and support is one of the first questions families ask. We’re here to help you make sense of the options – and to make sure nobody misses out on the support they’re entitled to.
Overview of Funding Options
Most people who receive supported living or care are funded through their local authority, the NHS or a combination of both.
Some people also choose to arrange and fund their own support directly. The right funding route depends on the individual’s needs, their circumstances and how their support has been assessed. If you’re not sure where to start, a conversation with a social worker or our team is usually the best first step. We can help you understand what’s available and what to ask for.
Funding Routes
There’s more than one way to fund support. Here’s an overview of the most common routes.
Local Authority Funding
Most people with eligible care needs are funded through their local authority following a social care assessment. The local authority will assess what level of support is needed and agree a personal budget to fund it.
NHS / Continuing Healthcare
Some people with significant health needs may be eligible for NHS Continuing Healthcare – a package of support fully funded by the NHS. Eligibility is assessed by a clinical team and is based on health need rather than diagnosis.
Direct Payments / Private Funding
Some individuals choose to manage their own support through direct payments or private funding. This gives people greater choice and control over who provides their support and how it is arranged. Mediline works with direct payment holders across all our regions.
How Eligibility Is Determined
Eligibility for funded support is assessed through a social care assessment carried out by your local authority.
This looks at the individual’s needs, how those needs affect daily life and what level of support is required. If eligible, the local authority will agree a personal budget to fund the support package. If someone has not yet had a social care assessment, we’d encourage you to contact your local authority’s adult social care team as a first step. We’re happy to talk things through in the meantime.
Who Conducts Assessments
Social care assessments are carried out by social workers or care assessors from your local authority.
For NHS Continuing Healthcare, assessments are led by a clinical team, usually including a nurse or other healthcare professional. In both cases, the individual and their family should be involved throughout.
Frequently Asked Questions
Some of the questions we’re asked most often about funding and eligibility.
Step 1: Call
Where do I start if I think someone needs funded support?
The first step is usually to contact your local authority’s adult social care team and request a needs assessment. This is free and you are entitled to one. If you’re not sure how to do this or what to expect, our team is happy to talk it through with you before you make that call.
Step 2: Assessment
What happens during a social care assessment?
A social worker or care assessor will meet with the individual – and usually their family – to understand their needs, how those needs affect daily life and what level of support would help. The assessment looks at the whole person, not just their diagnosis. Following the assessment, the local authority will decide whether the person is eligible for funded support and, if so, agree a personal budget.
Step 3: Plan
What is a personal budget and how does it work?
A personal budget is the amount of money the local authority agrees to spend on someone’s care and support. It can be managed by the local authority directly, through a direct payment to the individual or family, or through a combination of both. The budget is used to fund a support arrangement that reflects the person’s assessed needs and goals.
Step 4: Start
How long does it take to get support in place?
Timescales vary depending on the local authority and the complexity of the individual’s needs. Once a personal budget has been agreed, finding the right support arrangement and completing a transition can take several weeks. We work closely with local authority teams to move as quickly as possible – without rushing decisions that matter. If you have concerns about timescales, our team can advise on next steps.
Not sure where to start? We’re here to help.
Whether you're exploring funding options for the first time or ready to take the next step, our team is happy to talk things through.
