Key Information

Dudley Council provides funding for home care services for eligible residents. This guide covers the complete application process, eligibility criteria, and what support is available.

Understanding Dudley Council Home Care Funding

Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council provides financial support for home care services to help residents remain independent in their own homes. The council assesses both your care needs and financial situation to determine eligibility and contribution levels.

Who Is Eligible for Council Funding?

Basic Eligibility Criteria

To qualify for Dudley Council home care funding, you must:

Live in Dudley: Be a resident of Dudley Metropolitan Borough
Have eligible care needs: Meet the national eligibility criteria
Be over 18: Adult social care services
Pass financial assessment: Contribute based on your means

National Eligibility Criteria

Your care needs must meet at least one of these criteria:

Unable to achieve outcomes: Cannot maintain personal hygiene, nutrition, or safety
Significant impact: Inability to carry out daily tasks affects wellbeing
Health deterioration: Without support, health would decline significantly
Safety concerns: Unable to maintain a safe living environment

Care Needs That Qualify

Personal care (washing, dressing, toileting)
Meal preparation and nutrition support
Medication management and prompting
Mobility and transfer assistance
Domestic tasks essential for health and safety
Social interaction to prevent isolation

The Assessment Process

Step 1: Initial Contact

Contact Dudley Council Adult Social Care to request an assessment:

Phone: 0300 555 0055
Online: www.dudley.gov.uk/residents/care-and-health
Email: adult.services@dudley.gov.uk
In person: Dudley Council House, St James's Road

Step 2: Care Needs Assessment

A qualified social worker will conduct a comprehensive assessment covering:

Personal care needs: Daily living activities
Health conditions: Medical needs and medications
Mental wellbeing: Cognitive function and emotional health
Social circumstances: Family support and isolation risks
Housing situation: Home environment and safety
Current support: Existing help from family or services

Step 3: Eligibility Decision

Following the assessment, the social worker will:

Determine if you meet eligibility criteria
Identify specific care and support needs
Recommend appropriate services
Arrange financial assessment if eligible

Financial Assessment

What's Included in the Financial Assessment

Dudley Council will assess your financial situation including:

Income: Pensions, benefits, wages, investments
Savings: Bank accounts, ISAs, premium bonds
Property: Usually disregarded for home care
Other assets: Valuable possessions or investments

Financial Thresholds (2024/25)

Current Financial Limits

Upper threshold: £23,250 - Pay full cost
Lower threshold: £14,250 - No contribution required
Between thresholds: Contribution calculated on sliding scale
Minimum income guarantee: Amount you keep for living expenses

Maximum Weekly Contribution

Your weekly contribution will be capped at the lower of:

The actual cost of your care package
The maximum you can afford based on the financial assessment

Types of Home Care Services Funded

Personal Care Services

Help with washing, bathing, and personal hygiene
Assistance with dressing and undressing
Support with toileting and continence care
Mobility assistance and transfers

Domestic Support

Essential cleaning tasks
Meal preparation and nutrition support
Shopping for essential items
Laundry and housekeeping

Medication Support

Medication prompting and reminders
Assistance with medication administration
Monitoring for side effects
Liaison with healthcare professionals

Social Support

Companionship and conversation
Support to access community activities
Help maintaining social connections
Emotional support and reassurance

Care Package Options

Council-Arranged Services

Dudley Council can arrange care services through:

Approved care agencies: Contracted providers like Everyday Care Plus
In-house services: Council-employed care workers
Day centers: Community-based support services

Direct Payments

Alternatively, you can choose to receive direct payments to:

Employ your own care workers
Purchase services from providers of your choice
Have greater control over your care arrangements

Mixed Packages

You can combine council-arranged services with direct payments to create a flexible care package that meets all your needs.

Application Timeline

Standard Timeline

Initial contact: Assessment arranged within 7 days
Care assessment: Completed within 28 days
Financial assessment: Usually conducted simultaneously
Care plan: Developed within 7 days of assessment
Services start: Usually within 14 days of approval

Urgent Cases

For urgent situations (hospital discharge, carer breakdown), Dudley Council can:

Fast-track assessments within 24-48 hours
Provide immediate interim support
Arrange emergency care packages

Reviews and Changes

Regular Reviews

Your care package will be reviewed:

Initial review: 6-8 weeks after services start
Annual reviews: At least once per year
Change requests: When circumstances change significantly

Requesting Reviews

You can request a review if:

Your care needs have changed
Your financial circumstances have altered
You're unhappy with current services
You want to change service providers

Appeals and Complaints

If You Disagree with a Decision

You have the right to:

Request a reassessment: If you believe the decision is wrong
Make a formal complaint: Through Dudley Council's complaints procedure
Contact the Local Government Ombudsman: For unresolved complaints
Seek independent advocacy: For support with appeals

Important Deadlines

Request reassessment within 6 months of decision
Make formal complaint within 12 months
Contact Ombudsman within 12 months of council's final response

Additional Support Available

Carer Support

If you have a carer, Dudley Council also provides:

Carer assessments
Respite care services
Carer support groups
Information and advice

Equipment and Adaptations

Additional support may include:

Daily living aids (free if under £1,000)
Home adaptations through Disabled Facilities Grant
Assistive technology and telecare

Useful Contacts

Dudley Council

Adult Social Care: 0300 555 0055
Financial Assessment Team: 01384 815810
Emergency Out of Hours: 0300 555 8574
Website: www.dudley.gov.uk

Independent Support

Citizens Advice Dudley: 0344 411 1444
Age UK Dudley: 01384 354000
Dudley CVA: 01384 573381
POhWER Advocacy: 0300 456 2370

Need Home Care Services in Dudley?

Everyday Care Plus is an approved provider for Dudley Council funding. We can help guide you through the application process and provide quality home care services.

Conclusion

Dudley Council funding can significantly help with the cost of home care services, making it possible for many residents to remain independent in their own homes. The key is understanding your eligibility, preparing for the assessment process, and knowing what support is available.

Don't hesitate to contact Dudley Council if you think you might be eligible, and consider working with experienced care providers who understand the council funding system and can support you throughout the process.

Council Funding for Home Care in Dudley: Eligibility & Applications