If you’re supporting someone because of illness, disability, frailty, mental health needs, or addiction, you might be wondering:
- Do I qualify for a Carer’s Assessment?
- Do I need to be caring a certain number of hours?
- How do I actually ask for one?
This guide explains who is entitled to a Carer’s Assessment in England, what “appearance of need” means, and the simplest way to request an assessment.
The short answer
In England, you can ask the local authority for a Carer’s Assessment if you provide (or intend to provide) care for another adult. Under the Care Act 2014, councils have a duty to assess when it appears you may have needs for support. If you care for someone who lives with you or within the same local authority, then it’s straight forward to ask your local authority’s adult social care service for an assessment. If you live in a different local authority to the person you care for, then you need to ask the local authority that they live in for your assessment.
You do not need to:
- be caring a certain number of hours
- live with the person
- be related to them
- wait until you hit crisis point
NHS guidance also states that a carer’s assessment is free and that anyone over 18 can ask for one.
Who qualifies for a Carer’s Assessment?
You can request a Carer’s Assessment if you are an adult (18+) and you support another adult who needs help because of their health, disability or circumstances.
This can include caring for:
- a partner/spouse
- a parent or older relative
- an adult child
- a friend or neighbour
Carers UK is clear that you’re entitled to a Carer’s Assessment even if the person you care for hasn’t had their own needs assessment.
What counts as “caring”?
It doesn’t have to be hands-on personal care. Caring can include:
- keeping someone safe / supervision
- managing appointments and medication routines
- dealing with paperwork, phone calls and services
- emotional support and constant “being on alert”
If caring affects your health, energy, time, work, relationships, or wellbeing — that’s a strong sign an assessment is appropriate. If you’re unsure if what you do counts as caring take a look at our Who are Unpaid Carers? page, you might be surprised what counts.
The “appearance of need” rule
This is one of the most important points for carers:
A council should offer a Carer’s Assessment if it appears you may have any level of needs for support — even if they suspect you won’t meet eligibility for funded support later.
In plain English:
You don’t have to prove you’re at breaking point. If you might need support, you should be assessed.
Do I need to be caring 35 hours a week?
No. People often confuse this with Carer’s Allowance, which has a 35-hour rule (benefits are separate from social care).
For a Carer’s Assessment, there’s no set hours threshold. NHS guidance describes it as available to carers over 18 and free to request.
Some charities also emphasise that hours don’t matter for accessing a carer’s assessment.
What happens after the assessment: eligibility vs assessment
A common worry is: “If I’m not eligible, is there any point?”
There are two stages:
- Assessment (understanding your situation and impact)
- Eligibility decision (whether your needs meet the national criteria for the council to meet them)
Even if you’re found not eligible, the assessment should still result in information, advice, and signposting — and it can still be valuable to get your situation properly recorded.
What counts as “eligible needs” for carers?
Eligibility is set out in law (Care Act 2014). For carers, needs are eligible if they arise from providing necessary care and, because of caring, your health is at risk or you can’t achieve certain outcomes, with a significant impact on wellbeing.
The “outcomes” include things like:
- being able to maintain relationships
- working, training or education
- having time for recreation / community life
- managing day-to-day life in a sustainable way
You don’t need to memorise this. But it helps to know the assessment is meant to look at impact on your life, not just a list of tasks.
You can find more information about eligible outcomes and needs in our Carer’s Assessment Guide (England): Care Act 2014, Wellbeing & What to Expect page. Or you could download our free checklist for preparing for your assessment by filling out the form below.
How to ask for a Carer’s Assessment
Step 1: Find the right contact
Search: “[Your council] carers assessment” or go to your council’s adult social care page on their website.
Step 2: Ask clearly (use the words “Carer’s Assessment”)
You can use a short message like:
“Hello, I’m an unpaid carer for an adult and I’d like to request a Carer’s Assessment. Caring is affecting my wellbeing and I may need support. Please confirm next steps and timescales.”
Step 3: Ask what happens next and by when
At the end of the call/email, ask:
- “When should I expect an appointment?”
- “Will I get a copy of the assessment in writing?”
- “Who do I contact if I don’t hear back?”
Carers UK also notes you can request your assessment even if the cared-for person is not being assessed at the same time or doesn’t want to have an assessment.
What to prepare (keep it simple)
You don’t need perfect notes — just a few real examples.
Bring (or have in front of you):
- what a typical week looks like (including the mental load)
- what caring has changed (sleep, health, work, relationships)
- what you’re worried will happen without support
remember you can get more information on our Carer’s Assessment Guide (England): Care Act 2014, Wellbeing & What to Expect page. Or you could download our free checklist for preparing for your assessment by filling out the form below.
What to do next
Pick one:
- If you’re unsure you “count” as a carer → read Who are unpaid carers?
- If you want a clear overview of options → read What support can unpaid carers get?
- If you’re ready to request an assessment → read Carer’s Assessment guide (Care Act 2014) and use the free checklist
FAQ
Can I have a Carer’s Assessment if the person I care for refuses help?
Often yes — because the assessment is about your needs. (Some councils will still need basic info about the caring role.)
What if the council says I’m not eligible?
You should still get information and advice, and you can ask what support is available locally without eligibility.
Can I have a Carer’s Assessment even if I’m “coping”?
Yes. The “appearance of need” threshold is designed to avoid waiting for crisis.