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Funding Options for Home Support and Companionship Care: What Families Need to Know

  • Jasmyn Care Ltd
  • May 22
  • 6 min read

Updated: 4 days ago

Finding the right support for yourself or a loved one can feel overwhelming, especially when trying to understand how care is funded, whether or not you can ask for home help or companionship services without personal care, or what help may be available in general.



The good news is that there are several health and social care funding that potentially makes it possible to get companionship and home help even when someone does not require hands-on personal care.

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Can you get funding without personal care?

Yes — in some situations.


Many people assume funding is only available for physical care needs such as washing, dressing, or mobility assistance. However, local authorities and other organisations also consider:

  • emotional wellbeing

  • social isolation

  • vulnerability

  • ability to manage daily living

  • maintaining independence

  • risks to health and safety at home


Funding decisions are based on individual assessments and financial circumstances. In many cases, companionship care and home-help support are viewed as preventative services that help individuals maintain wellbeing and avoid crisis situations later.


What health and social care funding options are there?

Understanding the different funding options available can help families make informed decisions about care and support at home.


Local Authority Adult Social Care

The local authority may fund or contribute towards companionship and home support services through care packages, personal budgets and direct payments. The differences between these are:

  • A personal budget is allocated to the individual in need of care once their local council agree that they require care or support. The budget is allocated based on the assessed needs.

  • Care packages are commissioned care under the local authority that can include home care visits for personal care.

  • Direct Payments is when the allocated personal budget is given directly to the individual in need of help who can use it to arrange their own care.



Disability and care benefits

There are a couple benefits that can help fund companionship and home help support:

  • Attendance Allowance: a non-means-tested benefit for people over State Pension age needing supervision, support, or care. This money is paid directly to the individual, allowing families flexibility in how it is used.

  • Personal Independence Payment (PIP): for working-age adults with daily living or mobility difficulties. Although PIP is not specifically paid for care services, many individuals use it to support their care services.


NHS Funding

The NHS do not generally provide funding for companionship on its own. It is provided if linked to health issues via various routes:

  • NHS Continuing Healthcare (CHC) are primarily health-related and for complex issue, e.g., advanced dementia, complex neurological conditions, significant behaviour or medical needs.

  • NHS-funded Nursing Care are for people in nursing homes needing nursing input.

  • Reablement, intermediate and discharge-to-assess support are offered by the NHS as a short-term temporary home support following hospital discharge, illness, surgery or falls to regain independence

  • Mental Health and Community Services may support individuals experiencing severe isolation, depression, anxiety, cognitive decline and social withdrawal


Carer Support Funding

Family carers may also be entitled to support through a Carer’s Assessment. Support may include respite services, practical home support, wellbeing support, funded care hours or

additional assistance at home.


There are carer support grants, respite funding, carer’s assessments and replacement care services.


Charities

In some situations, charities and non-profit organisations can provide financial support, grants, practical assistance, or subsidised services for individuals who need companionship care, home-help support, wellbeing services, or help maintaining independence at home.


While charities do not usually replace long-term social care funding entirely, here are some list that can help funding for companionship and home help support include;


At Jasmyn Care Ltd, we often encourage families to explore charitable support alongside local authority funding, Attendance Allowance, direct payments, and private funding for their care.



Who qualify for home support and companionship care funding?

People who may qualify include:

  • People with Dementia who need supervision, prompting, routine support, companionship, or help staying engaged.

  • People with Alzheimer's disease in early stages who are physically independent but need support with isolation, memory, appointments, meals, or structure.

  • People with mental health conditions (anxiety, depression, psychosis, trauma, severe loneliness where functioning is affected).

  • People with autism / learning disabilities who need community access support, social support, routine-building, or help with independent living.

  • Older adults who are physically able but isolated, frail, at risk of falls, confusion, self-neglect, or unable to maintain daily routines.

  • People with cognitive impairment after stroke, brain injury, or neurological conditions.

  • People with sensory impairment (vision/hearing loss) needing practical support to remain independent.

  • People with long-term conditions causing fatigue or reduced functioning even if they can wash/dress independently.

  • Adults whose unpaid carer can no longer provide all support.

  • People at risk of hospital admission because they cannot maintain wellbeing or independence at home.

  • People who need “prompting”, “supervision”, “reassurance”, “community access”, or “social participation” rather than hands-on care.



How to apply for funding?

The most practical place to start would be to:

  1. Contact the local council Adult Social Care team.

  2. Ask specifically for a Care Needs Assessment. Most councils allow requests:

    • online

    • by telephone

    • through GP referrals

    • through hospital discharge teams

    • via social workers or healthcare professionals

  3. Prepare for the Care Needs Assessment. The assessor looks at how a person’s health, wellbeing, or circumstances affect everyday life. They may ask about:

    • managing household tasks

    • meal preparation

    • shopping

    • loneliness or isolation

    • emotional wellbeing

    • mobility and safety

    • managing routines

    • confidence living independently

    • support from family or carers

  4. Explain how support would improve wellbeing. Explain:

    • why regular visits would help

    • how support would improve routines and confidence

    • risks of managing alone

    • emotional impact of isolation or overwhelm

  5. Financial Assessment (Mean Test): if deemed eligible for care, the local authority may carry out a financial assessment to determine:

    • whether funding can be provided

    • whether the person must contribute towards care costs

  6. If funding is approved, a care and support plan will usually be created outlining agreed support needs, wellbeing goals, recommended services and funding arrangements

  7. The local authority may:

    • arrange services directly (care package)

    • provide a personal budget

    • offer direct payments, at this point you can ask whether support could be provided via Direct Payments / Personal Budget.



Important tips for families

Many people unintentionally minimise their difficulties because they want to remain independent, feel embarrassed or do not want to “cause trouble”. However, it is important to be honest about:

  • difficult days

  • emotional struggles

  • safety concerns

  • risks linked to isolation

  • how daily life is really being affected

Providing accurate information helps ensure the right level of support is considered.


Many families wait until a crisis occurs before seeking support. However, early companionship and home-help support can often help :

  • maintain independence longer

  • reduce loneliness and isolation

  • prevent deterioration

  • reduce hospital admissions

  • improve emotional wellbeing

  • create safer living environments


Even small amounts of regular support can make a significant difference to someone’s confidence, safety, and quality of life.


What to do if not eligible for funding

Being told that you or a loved one are not eligible for local authority funding can feel disappointing and overwhelming, especially when support is still clearly needed at home.

Here are options you can explore:

  • Request a review from the council, particularly if your circumstance has changed for the worse

  • Apply for attendance allowance and Personal Independent Payment (PIP) if not yet in receipt

  • Look into grants and support through charities like Age UK, Turn2Us and Carers UK

  • Speak to GP or healthcare professionals such as social prescribers and community nurse

  • Private support from families and friends where possible


How Jasmyn Care Ltd can help

At Jasmyn Care Ltd, we understand that every family’s financial situation and support needs are different.


If you or a loved one living in Kent, Essex or surrounding areas may benefit from companionship care or home-help support, our friendly team is here to help guide you through the process with care and understanding.



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