Self Directed Support: Eligibility and Contributions

Eligibility for Self Directed Support

At the initial point of contact we will begin your assessment - this is where we start to gather information about you. This will help us to understand what your needs are and establish your eligibility for support. If you don't meet the eligibility criteria for our services, our staff will talk to you about other types of support and community help available.

We will assess a person's needs to decide if we can offer care and support. We must give priority to those who are at most risk.

We use eligibility criteria for adults and older people (there is a separate process for children). These let us work out how serious the risk is of you losing your independence if your needs are not met. 

Anyone in West Lothian whose needs and outcomes are assessed as critical or substantial will be eligible for access to paid services and support.

Contributions

Adult and Older people 

Where a person is assessed as eligible for care they may be required to pay something towards that care. Anyone who receives a "chargeable service" will be assessed to determine how much they can afford to pay towards the cost of those services they receive. A non-residential financial assessment will be completed, where applicable, to find out if you should make a financial contribution towards your support. Your practitioner will help you to complete the relevant form. Paying your contribution, if applicable, is your responsibility and you must pay this to to ensure that your goods, activities, and services can be paid and to maintain your contingency amount.

Children 

Children don't make contributions, only adults. 

Unpaid Carers  

The Social Care (Self Directed Support) (Scotland) Act 2013 introduces the right for carers not to be charged for any support they receive as a carer. Charges cannot be made for support provided to carers to continue in their caring role, whether directly provided by local authorities or commissioned by the local authority through voluntary organisations or private organisations.

Note: This does not apply to services that are provided to the person who is being cared for. In this case, the normal charging for non-residential care services will still apply. In the case of short breaks, the elements of the break that are provided for the carer will not be charged.

You can find out more information on our eligibility criteria process and our contribution policies on our website Assessment, Eligibility and Financial Contributions page. 

Once your eligibility for a social work service has been confirmed your practitioner should talk to you about what is important to you and about your care needs.

You and your practitioner will develop what we call 'an outcome-focused' support plan and agree how your personal outcomes will be met. The practitioner will explain the four self-directed support options and the differences between them - they will not decide which option you should opt for, and they will not recommend a preference either.  It is your decision as to which option arrangements will best meet your support needs and fulfil your desired outcomes. You can change this preference at any time however any changes you may take time to plan and arrange.