Apply for adult social care
If you feel that you need care and support, or know someone else who does, we may be able to help. First, we need to carry out a needs assessment. A needs assessment usually comes before or with a financial assessment.
What is a needs assessment?
A needs assessment is a way to find out what care and support you need to live your life more easily. The assessment looks at what you can do on your own and where you need help. It’s free, and anyone can get one, no matter how much money they have.
Complete a needs assessment
The needs assessment will look at what kind of care and support you need. The needs assessment will:
- Check if you are eligible for adult social care.
- Make a referral to our adult social care team.
- See how much you may need to pay towards your care.
After the assessment, we will tell you what support you can get and whether you need to pay for it. It is confidential and will only be shared with those involved in your care. This includes anyone with permission to deal with your affairs.
What is a financial assessment?
After telling us about your care needs, we need to work out how much it is likely to cost. We also need to find out how much you need to contribute to the cost of your care. We will look at:
- Your savings, investments, and capital. We will not count your home's value while you or your partner still live there as your main and only home.
- Your weekly income from pensions and benefits. This includes disability benefits. We will not count earnings from paid work or the mobility part of disability benefits.
What you pay depends on the weekly cost of your care. If the weekly cost of your care services is:
- Less than your assessed charge, you will need to pay the full cost of your care.
- More than your assessed charge, we may be able to help with your care costs above your assessed charge.
Both assessments ensure you get the right care and know the costs. If we cannot provide the support, we will refer you to the most appropriate agency.
Have your financial circumstances changed?
If there has been a change in your financial circumstances, you must let us know. You will need to complete a financial review form. Or you can call us on: 020 8736 6802 and we can send one to you.
Complete a financial assessment
The financial assessment will see if you need to pay for your social care. The financial assessment will look at:
- earnings
- pensions
- benefits (including Attendance Allowance or PIP)
- savings
- property (including overseas property).
After the assessment, we will be in touch. We'll let you know how much to contribute to your care fees.
Need to upload evidence?
You can upload evidence of:
- savings in bank accounts, building societies, ISAs, or premium bonds
- stocks and shares you own
- property or land you own.
You will need your financial assessment reference.
What happens after you apply?
After you apply, a member of the social care team will review your application. They will be in touch with you to discuss your support needs and the next steps. This will include details about paying for your care.
You will be sent a letter advising you of the outcome of your financial assessment. This letter will also include a Direct Debit form for you to complete. This will set up a Direct Debit for your care services.
If you do not agree with your financial assessment
If you do not agree with the outcome of your financial assessment, please email JAT@harrow.gov.uk. They will send you an appeals pack. This will outline the appeals process. If you are still not happy, you can submit a complaint at: socialcarecomplaints@harrow.gov.uk. Find out more on our complain about you social care page.
If you do not qualify for support
If you do not qualify for social care, don't worry; there are other options available to you:
- Reablement. The reablement service helps those leaving hospital. It is only for those who can regain, in the short term (6 weeks), significant independence. If you want to speak to someone about the reablement service, call on: 020 8901 2680. For more details, see the reablement service page.
- Occupational therapy. Therapists can help you with daily tasks. They can help with things like getting dressed or cooking. They can show you new ways to do things. For more details, see the occupational therapy page.
- Private care. You can use a private care worker through a home care agency. It is important to make a carefully informed choice. Choose an agency that is registered and inspected by the Care Quality Commission (CQC).