Social services support for adults

When will an adult be eligible?

An adult with no recourse to public funds (NRPF) may be provided with accommodation and financial support by adult social care when they have been assessed as having care and support needs.

In England, support is usually provided under the Care Act 2014. Similar duties apply under equivalent legislation in:

• Scotland – sections 12 and 13A of the Social Work (Scotland) Act 1968
• Wales – section 35 of the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014
• Northern Ireland – articles 7 and 15 of the Health and Personal Social Services (Northern Ireland) Order 1972

An adult may be eligible for support when they have care and support needs arising from:

• a physical illness or impairment
• a mental illness or impairment
• a learning disability
• another condition affecting their ability to manage daily life independently

In England, when an adult has eligible care and support needs, these must be met under section 18 of the Care Act 2014. Councils can also use powers under section 19(1) to meet needs that do not meet the eligibility criteria.

An adult who is homeless but does not have care and support needs will not normally be eligible for accommodation from adult social care.

Needs assessments

When an adult requests support, adult social care will carry out a needs assessment. The assessment will consider:

• the adult's physical and mental health
• their ability to manage day-to-day activities independently
• their housing circumstances
• their financial circumstances
• any risks to their wellbeing or safety

In England, assessments must be carried out in accordance with the Care and Support Statutory Guidance.

Emergency accommodation and financial support may be provided while assessments are being completed if an adult is homeless or unable to meet their basic living needs. In England, section 19 (3) of the Care Act 2014 provides councils with powers to meet urgent needs while assessments are pending.

Councils in all parts of the UK can refer to our practice guidance on assessing and supporting adults with NRPF for further information on assessing and supporting adults with NRPF.

Immigration status checks

When an adult requests support, councils will need to obtain information about the person's immigration status. This helps the local authority determine what support may be available and whether any immigration-related restrictions apply.

Councils subscribed to NRPF Connect can use the system to establish a person's immigration status.

Page updated: 07 July 2026