Paying for help at home in Dorset, Somerset and Wiltshire

Attendance Allowance is for people over State Pension age who have needed help or supervision because of an illness or disability for at least six months. It is £76.70 or £114.60 a week, depending on the help needed.

It is not means-tested, so savings and income make no difference. Independent Age points out that it is up to the person how they spend it, and many families put it towards help at home.

Claim online, or ask for a paper form on 0800 731 0122. If you ring for a form, the claim counts from the day you called, as long as the form is back within six weeks.

Pension Credit tops weekly income up to £238 for a single person or £363.25 for a couple. Even a small award opens the door to Council Tax Reduction, help with housing costs, a free TV licence at 75 and the Warm Home Discount.

Receiving Attendance Allowance can increase Pension Credit, so check both together.

Anyone can ask their council for a free needs assessment, for themselves or for a parent, and the council must assess whatever their savings. This is separate from Aurora’s own free home visit.

It looks at what the person finds hard day to day and what would help. If they have eligible needs, the council agrees a support plan with them. In this area that means Dorset Council, Somerset Council or Wiltshire Council; their contacts are below.

If the council is going to pay towards support, it looks at income and savings. For 2026/27, people with more than £23,250 in savings usually pay the full cost themselves. Below £14,250, savings are ignored, and in between the council asks for a contribution.

For care at home, the value of the person’s home is not counted. The council must also leave them enough to live on: for someone over State Pension age living at home, at least £241.45 a week.

If the council agrees to fund support, you can ask for it as a Direct Payment instead of a service the council arranges, and choose who provides it, as long as it meets the needs in the support plan.

In Somerset, the council also runs a scheme for micro-providers: small local services listed on Connect Somerset. The council says more people are choosing to use Direct Payments with them.

Aurora accepts Direct Payments. Before you agree anything, ask the council whether the support you want from us fits the plan.

Someone with a severe mental impairment, which can include dementia, may be disregarded for Council Tax. A person who lives alone and qualifies pays no Council Tax at all.

It needs a certificate from a doctor such as the GP, and the person must also receive certain benefits. You have to apply to the council; it is not automatic.

Your county council arranges assessments, and each county has a free service for family carers.

These national helplines can check what your parent is entitled to and help with forms.