Care & support · England
Ask for care and support
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This guide is for adults in England.
You can ask your council for help with everyday life.
You may need help with things like washing or cooking.
Tell the council what you find difficult.
Ask the council for a needs assessment.
An assessment looks at the care and support you need.
The council must assess you if you may need care and support.
The needs assessment is free.
You can ask for an assessment even if you have savings.
Tell the council what matters to you.
Explain what happens on difficult days as well as better days.
You can ask someone you trust to take part.
They can help you explain your wishes.
The council checks whether your needs meet the rules for support.
An assessment does not mean you will get free care.
The council may also check how much you can pay.
What you can do next
Contact the council's adult social care team.
You could say: Please assess the care and support I need.
Find your council Web pageFuller informationThis link opens another website.
It may use harder words.
Asking for care and support
How to ask your council for help with everyday life.
Adult social care · England
Ask your council
Contact your council’s adult social care team. Ask for a “Care Act needs assessment”.
You do not have to prove you can get funding first
The council must assess you if it appears you may need care and support. Your finances and the level of your possible needs do not remove this assessment duty.
Explain your everyday life
Describe the help you need on difficult days as well as better days. You can ask for someone you trust to be involved.
An assessment is not a promise of free care
The council considers whether your needs qualify for support. It may separately assess how much you should pay.
Words you could use
“I would like a Care Act needs assessment. These are the things I need help with: …”
Where the information comes from
Links checked 26 October 2026.
These links open other websites.
They may use harder words.
- Care Act 2014, section 9 Web page
The legal duty to assess an adult’s possible care and support needs.
- NHS: getting a care needs assessment Web page
How to request and prepare for an assessment.