Funding and referrals
Refer yourself or someone else to Extra Care
The simplest way to make a referral to an Extra Care scheme is to contact Lancashire County Council Social Services and request a Social Care assessment with a view to accessing Extra Care schemes.
This can be done by contacting Lancashire County Council Adult Social Care Customer Services on 0300 123 6720.
Further information on Adult Social Care services and eligibility can be found here: Getting our support - Lancashire County Council
Further information on how Lancashire County Council assess need can be found here: Assessing your needs - Lancashire County Council
Please note: if you apply and are accepted for a scheme but there are no current vacancies, you will be placed on a waiting list until a vacancy arises. When this happens, the landlord or housing provider will contact you to arrange a viewing.
Funding for Extra Care
There are several ways to fund Extra Care housing. These include:
- Housing Benefit – if you are eligible, you can claim this against certain costs within Extra Care. Further details and an Affordability Assessment will be undertaken by the Housing Provider/Landlord once you complete an Extra Care application. If you are unsure whether you are eligible for Housing Benefit (Gov.UK).
- Direct Payments – if you access Direct Payments, these can be used within an Extra Care scheme.
- Private funding – if you are not eligible for support towards the cost of your Social Care, you can still access Extra Care. You can be supported to pay the in-house care provider directly or via the Local Authority to meet your Care Needs. Please discuss this with your social worker.
Core charges
Core charges apply to some Extra Care schemes and are a means of contributing towards the cost of the on-site, 24/7 background and care support within the scheme.
Core charges are paid by all residents (per apartment) and are collected universally, whether you have a package of care or not.