Are any of my needs critical or substantial?

Eligibility for help is set by the Department of Health's "Fair Access to Care" guidance. In Hampshire we are only able to offer community care support to meet needs that are "critical or "substantial" under this guidance.

However, everyone who comes to Adult Services for support will get advice and information on where to get help, as well as assistance in making their own care arrangements if necessary.

'Critical' needs

The following types of need will be assessed as 'critical' and therefore eligible for support:

• You are unable to protect yourself or others from serious harm due to a physical, mental health, sensory or learning difficulty
• Provision of Community Care support would help to improve your health or prevent it becoming worse
• You have severe difficulties in managing in your home safely, e.g. using the toilet, getting out of bed or into a chair, getting in and out of your home or letting visitors in safely
• You are being abused or are at severe risk of e.g. violence, degrading treatment or financial exploitation
• You have severe difficulties in managing your personal care e.g. washing and dressing, on a daily basis
• You are unable to access work or education which is essential for your needs without support
• You are reliant on a carer who is no longer able to support all of your needs or your existing social and community support is at high risk of breaking down
• Your difficulties mean that you are unable to carry on caring for a child, or they may be harmed by taking on inappropriate responsibilities for you.

'Substantial' needs

The following types of need will be assessed as ‘substantial’ and therefore eligible for support:

• You need help or equipment to support you with e.g. toileting, transfers and safety in your home to continue to maintain your independence, due to physical or sensory difficulties
• You have a mental health difficulty which means that you or others are at risk
• There is a concern that you may have been or are at risk of abuse. Abuse will always be treated seriously and we will always look into the circumstances fully to ensure you are safe from harm
• You need help with several aspects of your personal care to maintain your independence
• You need help to access work, education or training due to a physical, mental health or learning difficulty
• You are reliant on a carer who needs support to enable them to continue to help you or you need help to maintain your current social and community support networks
• You need help to continue in a parenting role.

If your needs do not fit the above criteria, they may be moderate or low.