The Care Act 2014 provides a statutory framework in England for charging and financial assessments for both non-residential and residential care and support. The assessment draws on social security principles with the charging regulations still referring to income support legislation. As income support is no longer covered in this handbook, where necessary, we refer to the housing benefit rules, which are very similar and are still covered.

Charging in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland is covered in Box I.6 .

Guidance – The Care Act rules are explained in the Care and Support Statutory Guidance (see Box I.2 in Chapter 34). This guidance must be followed by local authorities in England; this chapter largely reflects that guidance.

The financial assessment is based on your income and capital.

Importantly, earnings are disregarded. If the local authority takes your capital into account, the minimum limit above which you can be char