Eligibility criteria

The Care Act 2014 sets a minimum national eligibility criteria threshold for adult care and support needs and carer support needs. All local authorities comply with this national threshold.

An adult meets the eligibility criteria if:

1. their needs are caused by a physical or mental impairment or illness.
2. as a result of the adults needs they are unable to achieve two or more specified outcomes:
   1. managing and maintaining nutrition
   2. maintaining personal hygiene
   3. managing toilet needs
   4. being appropriately clothed
   5. being able to make use of the home safely
   6. maintaining a habitable home environment
   7. developing and maintaining family or other personal relationships
   8. accessing and engaging in work, training, education or volunteering
   9. making use of necessary facilities or services in the local community including public transport and recreational facilities or services
   10. carrying out any caring responsibilities the adult has for a child.
3. As a consequence there is or likely to be a significant impact on the person’s well-being., including the following:
   1. personal dignity (including treatment of the individual with respect);
   2. physical and mental health and emotional wellbeing;
   3. protection from abuse and neglect;
   4. control by the individual over day-to-day life (including over care and support provided and the way it is provided);
   5. participation in work, education, training or recreation;
   6. social and economic wellbeing;
   7. domestic, family and personal relationships;
   8. suitability of living accommodation;
   9. the individual’s contribution to society.

An adult is regarded as being unable to achieve an outcome if they are unable to achieve it without assistance or is able to achieve it without assistance but: doing so causes them significant pain, distress or anxiety; doing

so endangers or is likely to endanger health or safety, or takes significant longer than would normally be

An adult’s needs are only eligible where they meet all three of these conditions.

A carer meets the eligibility criteria if:

1. their needs are caused by providing necessary care for an adult. As a result:
   1. their health is at risk
   2. or they are unable to achieve specified outcome.
2. as a consequence there is or is likely to be a significant impact on the carer’s well-being:
   1. carrying out any caring responsibilities the carer has for a child
   2. providing care to other persons for whom the carer provides care
   3. maintaining a habitable home environment
   4. managing and maintaining nutrition
   5. developing and maintaining family or other personal relationships
   6. accessing and engaging in work, training, education or volunteering
   7. making use of necessary facilities or services in the local community including recreational facilities or services
   8. engaging in recreational activities.
3. As a consequence, there is or is likely to be a significant impact on the carers wellbeing, including:
   1. personal dignity (including treatment of the individual with respect);
   2. physical and mental health and emotional wellbeing;
   3. protection from abuse and neglect;
   4. personal dignity (including treatment of the individual with respect);
   5. physical and mental health and emotional wellbeing;
   6. protection from abuse and neglect;
   7. control by the individual over day-to-day life (including over care and support provided and the way it is provided);
   8. participation in work, education, training or recreation;
   9. social and economic wellbeing;
   10. domestic, family and personal relationships;
   11. suitability of living accommodation;
   12. the individual’s contribution to society.

A carer is to be regarded as being unable to achieve an outcome if they are unable to achieve it without assistance or is able to achieve it without assistance but doing so causes them significant pain, distress or anxiety; doing so endanger or is likely to endanger health or safety.

More information

Visit the GOV.UK website for more information on the Care Act.

Last updated: 26/04/2021 11:09