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The Care Needs Assessment: A Right Everyone Has
Under the Care Act, every adult who appears to need care is entitled to a free assessment from their local council — however much money they have. It's the front door to the whole system, and far too few families knock on it.
A needs assessment isn't a test you can fail, and it isn't about your bank balance — money is dealt with separately, afterwards, and only if you want the council's help paying. The assessment itself simply looks at what day-to-day life is like and what support would help: washing, dressing, meals, getting about, staying safe, staying connected to people.
Even families who expect to pay for their own care benefit from having one: it puts needs formally on record, unlocks equipment and adaptations, and makes everything smoother if council funding is ever needed later.
The key facts
The assessment is free, for everyone — savings and home ownership are irrelevant to having one. You can request it for a relative (with their agreement). It looks at needs first; money is a separate conversation later. And family carers are entitled to their own carer's assessment at the same time.
What Actually Happens
Contact the council
A phone call or online form is all it takes — the right contact for Brighton & Hove and for Worthing is below. Say you'd like to request a care needs assessment under the Care Act.
The assessment conversation
Usually a visit at home, sometimes by phone. It's a structured chat about daily life — personal care, meals, medication, moving around, memory, loneliness, safety. Have someone you trust there, and describe the difficult days, not the good ones. Pride under-sells needs, and under-sold needs get less support.
The decision and care plan
The council decides which needs meet the national eligibility threshold and writes a care and support plan. Even where needs don't qualify, you should get written advice and pointers to local support.
The financial assessment — separate, and only if you want help paying
In England, savings above £23,250 currently mean paying the full cost; below £14,250, only income is taken into account; in between, there's a small weekly contribution from savings (£1 for every £250). Crucially, your home is not counted when the care happens in it. If the council does contribute, you can take it as a direct payment and choose your own care provider.
How to Ask, Where You Live
Somewhere Else?
We've compiled a searchable list of local authorities for you.Care Need Assessment - Local Authorities
Planning to pay for your own care anyway? Still have the assessment. It costs nothing, the care plan is useful to any provider you choose (including us), and if savings ever fall towards the threshold, being already known to the council makes the transition far less stressful.
Figures and contact details checked July 2026. The savings thresholds have been frozen since 2010 but are set nationally and could change — confirm current rules via the NHS social care guide or GOV.UK. This guide is general information, not financial advice; for advice about paying for care, consider an independent financial adviser accredited by SOLLA.
Want company through the process?
We help families prepare for assessments every week — what to mention, what to ask for, and what good support looks like afterwards.