Local council social services

If you need practical help because of your disability you can ask your local social services department (social work department in Scotland or local health and social services trust in Northern Ireland) for a care assessment.

They may provide you with a range of services and equipment or adaptations to meet your needs. If you are a carer you can have a carer’s assessment of your needs. For more information on getting practical help from social services and voluntary organisations, see our free advice leaflet, Help in Your Home.

Local council Direct Payments scheme

If you are eligible for services though your local council, whether for yourself or as a carer, your local council has a duty to offer Direct Payments to most people. Direct Payments allow you to buy your own services with money provided by the local council. That way you can make your own choices about who cares for you and how the money is spent.

The Government is planning to change the Direct Payments scheme in the near future. More details about this will be available in the next version of this leaflet.

There are different rules on Direct Payments depending on which UK country you live in. For more information see our free advice leaflet, Help in Your Home, or contact your local social services department.

The Independent Living Fund

The Independent Living (1993) Fund works in partnership with local councils to help severely disabled people pay for care services in their own home, by creating joint care packages. To qualify, you must live alone or live with people who are unable to fully meet your care needs, be aged from 16–65 and be receiving or about to receive care services from your local council to the value of at least £320 per week, if you live in England, Wales and Scotland (currently £200 per week if you live in Northern Ireland). You must also receive the highest rate of DLA care component and have less than £18,500 in savings. Your care needs should be stable and expected to be met by the joint care package for six months. Your care needs should not exceed £785 Contact your local social services department (social work department in Scotland or local health and social services trust in Northern Ireland) to see if you qualify. The Government are planning to change the way the Independent Living Fund works in the future, but we have no further details at the time of printing.