Government unveils national eligibility criteria plans

The introduction of a national eligibility criteria for social care service users could cost councils around £23m, according to The Personal Social Services Research unit (PSSRU). The proposal to set one standard level at which the state would provide support rather than individual local authorities setting their own criteria forms part of the Care and Support Bill. Subject to parliamentary approval, the government hopes the changes will be in place by April 2015, replacing the present Fair Access to Care System. The Department of Health proposed that the eligibility threshold would be equivalent to substantial’ needs under the current system meaning that people with both substantial and critical needs would be covered. The levels proposed have been set at what the Department of Health believes is a level that will enable local authorities to continue to maintain the level of services they are providing when they transition to the new care and support system.