Why Do We Have Eligibility Criteria
Eligibility criteria ensure,
- That everyone who asks for a service is dealt with according to his or her needs;
- that individuals in the greatest need or at most risk are prioritised, and
- that everyone understands what decisions are made about care.
Demand for services is increasing and there is a widening gap between that demand and the resources available to ACHSCP to meet it. We have revised our eligibility criteria and have raised the threshold at which individuals can expect to receive a service in order to protect our ability to provide vital care packages to those in greatest need.
What This Means For You
Only those individuals with needs that have been assessed at,
- Emergency/Urgent levels or
- High levels will be eligible for a service.
People who are assessed as having medium or low needs do not meet our eligibility criteria and so will not get a service, but we will provide information and advice on other sources of help where possible.
If you think you require a service, your needs will be assessed and the eligibility criteria will be applied. If you have previously been assessed and are currently receiving a service, the criteria will be applied to you when you have a Review of your needs and circumstances. It is possible that some services currently provided to an individual may be reduced or withdrawn if they are meeting needs that are not reassessed as a priority. The aim is to ensure equity or fairness in allocating resources while meeting priority needs.
Emergency or Urgent Need
If your needs are assessed in this category then you require an immediate or rapid service response because
- The individual is at risk of harm
- The individual has a significant disability or health problem, which is or will be a serious threat to the individual’s, safety or independence
- The individual is terminally ill and needs essential non-medical services to support at home
- The individual lives alone and is housebound and essential daily personal care needs are not being met or are only being met by placing the individual at serious risk
- Essential daily care and support needs are being met by a carer whose health and well-being is seriously at risk
- Current care situation cannot continue because the individual has had significant difficulties in their present living conditions placing them at serious risk
- Due to a disability or health problem vital family and other social relationships are at serious risk of breaking down placing the individual at immediate risk
High Level of Need
If your needs are assessed in this category then you require a priority service response.
- The individual has a disability or health problem, which is or will be a significant threat to health, safety or independence
- The individual lives alone and is housebound and essential daily personal care needs are not being met or are only being met by placing the individual at significant risk
- Essential daily care and support needs are being met by a carer whose health and well-being is significantly at risk
- Current care situation cannot continue because the individual has significant difficulties in present living conditions placing them at significant risk
- Due to disability or health problem vital family and other social relationships are at serious risk of breaking down placing the individual at significant risk
- The individual is in hospital and cannot be discharged safely because of the circumstances described above
If you think you, or someone you know needs a social care service then please contact us in the first instance, see link Assessing your need for care for details, so that we can undertake an assessment of your needs and circumstances.
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