Income Support and long-term care

Income Support and long-term care

Income Support and long-term care ​are two different benefits, designed to support people in different ways. 

The Income Support personal impairment component and long-term care benefit both help with the cost of care. However, you cannot receive both at the same time. If you qualify for both, you need to choose which one is best for you.

If you're living at home 

If you're living at home and receive long-term care benefit, you will not be able to apply for Income Support impairment component. However, you may still apply for Income Support benefit towards other expenses.

If you already have the Income Support impairment component, this will stop. Income Support will continue to help with your living expenses.

If you're living in a care home

You will no longer receive Income Support and your care costs will be covered by long-term care benefit directly.

If you live with someone who receives long-term care and your household gets Income Support

If your household receives Income Support, you may qualify for an extra payment called the Ancillary Home Care Costs component. You'll receive this if someone in your home is receiving care at home and has joined the Long-Term Care Scheme.

This extra payment recognises that living with someone who needs long-term care can increase household costs.

If more than one person in your household has joined the Long-Term Care Scheme, you'll receive an Ancillary Home Care Costs component for each eligible person.

If a young person joins the Long-Term Care Scheme and continues to live in the family home, they will have their own Income Support claim and will receive their own Ancillary Home Care Costs component.​​