Care glossary · Paying for care
Care needs assessment: what it means
A free assessment by the council of what care and support someone needs, whatever their savings.
Under the Care Act 2014, anyone who appears to need care can ask for one. It looks at what the person can and cannot do and whether they meet the national eligibility criteria. It is separate from the financial assessment.
On The Care Panel
See also
- Financial assessment (means test): The council's check of income and savings to work out how much someone pays towards their care.
- Care Act 2014: The law that sets out councils' duties for adult social care in England.
- Carer's assessment: A free council assessment of the needs of an unpaid carer, separate from the person they care for.
Questions about care needs assessment
- Do I need a council needs assessment before getting home care?
- Can the council help me choose a care home?
- What is a care needs assessment?
- Do I have to pay for a care needs assessment?
- Does a care needs assessment apply to people under 65?
- What is the difference between a carer's assessment and a care needs assessment?
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Free printable: 40 things to check in a care home
Covers CQC checks, staff, daily routine, rooms, fees and contracts, with columns for three homes.
More in Paying for care
Self-funder · Financial assessment (means test) · Upper capital limit · Lower capital limit · Tariff income · Personal expenses allowance · Minimum income guarantee · Disability-related expenditure · 12-week property disregard · Deferred payment agreement · Third-party top-up · Personal budget · Direct payments · Deprivation of assets · Care cap
CQC register data (Oct 2026), reused under the Open Government Licence v3.0. The Care Panel is independent of every provider listed.