NHS Continuing Healthcare (CHC) is free care funding provided by the NHS for individuals with significant ongoing health needs. If eligible, the NHS covers 100 % of your care costs, whether in a care home or in your own home with carers. This calculator helps you assess if you or your loved one might have a primary health need that qualifies for CHC. It is based on the official NHS Decision Support Tool criteria, simplified into an easy questionnaire.
Answer the following questions about care needs across different areas (breathing, mobility, etc.). Once all questions are answered, you can see an instant result indicating whether you are likely eligible for CHC, possibly (borderline) eligible, or unlikely to be eligible. You can adjust answers to explore different scenarios. The result comes with guidance on next steps. All information is kept private – we do not store your answers.
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What is NHS Continuing Healthcare and Who Can Get It?
NHS Continuing Healthcare (CHC) is a package of care arranged and funded entirely by the NHS for individuals with complex, primarily health-based needs. If someone is found eligible, the NHS covers all their care costs, whether care is provided in a care home or in their own home with carers. Eligibility for CHC does not depend on a specific diagnosis or on finances – it is about the level and nature of a person’s care needs.
To qualify for CHC, one must be assessed as having a “primary health need.” In a full assessment, health professionals review needs across 12 care domains (areas): breathing, nutrition, continence, skin, mobility, communication, psychological/emotional needs, cognition, behaviour, medication, altered consciousness, and other significant needs. Each domain is scored as No Needs, Low, Moderate, High, Severe, or Priority. This builds a picture of the person’s overall care requirements.
Typically, you can expect CHC eligibility if the assessment finds at least one domain at a Priority level, or two or more domains at the Severe level. These indicate very intense or critical needs. It is also possible to qualify with one Severe plus several High/Moderate needs, or a combination of many High-level needs, depending on how complex, intense, or unpredictable those needs are. Essentially, the NHS looks at the totality of needs – their nature, intensity, complexity, and unpredictability – to judge if they go beyond what a local authority’s social care would normally provide.
On the other hand, if most needs are assessed as Moderate or Low (with perhaps only one High), it is unlikely the person would be deemed to have a primary health need for CHC. In those cases, care is usually funded through other means (like local-authority support, which is means-tested, or private funds), though the NHS might still contribute in specific ways (for example, through NHS-funded Nursing Care for care-home residents).
How to Use the CHC Eligibility Calculator
This tool mirrors the official assessment in a simplified way. You will be asked about each of the 12 care domains above, with plain-language questions. For each question, select the option that best describes the person’s usual needs. If you are not sure, choose the closest fit – you can change answers later to see if the outcome changes.
After answering all the questions, click “See Results” to calculate the outcome instantly. If any answer corresponds to a Priority need or two Severes, the result will be Likely Eligible. If you have a mix of high-level needs that do not quite trigger the automatic rules, you may see a Borderline/Possibly Eligible result. If the needs are all relatively lower level, the result will be Unlikely Eligible.
The result includes a brief explanation and guidance on next steps. Remember, this is an indicative tool – the actual decision is made by a multidisciplinary team in a formal assessment. Nevertheless, the calculator uses the same rules and gives a good idea of what to expect. You can also try adjusting answers (e.g. if some needs sometimes worsen) to see how that affects eligibility.
Next Steps After Using the Calculator
Likely Eligible – request a formal NHS Continuing Healthcare assessment as soon as possible (ask your GP or social worker to begin the process). If eligibility is confirmed, the NHS will fund the full cost of care.
Borderline/Possibly Eligible – you are on the cusp. Gather supporting evidence (GP letters, care plans) and request an assessment; professional judgement may still find you eligible.
Unlikely Eligible – CHC funding is unlikely on current information. Explore local-authority funding (means-tested) or private options. If the person has nursing needs in a nursing home, they should still receive NHS-funded Nursing Care. Re-request a CHC assessment if health needs increase.
No matter the outcome, our team at Independent People Homecare can help. We offer free advice on CHC and provide high-quality live-in care that may be funded privately or via CHC if eligible. Contact us for a free consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is eligible for NHS Continuing Healthcare?
Eligibility is based on whether you have a primary health need, assessed across the 12 care domains. One Priority or two Severes usually meet the threshold, but a complex mix of needs can also qualify. Age and finances are not factors.
What if I am not eligible – will the NHS pay anything?
If CHC is refused, you may still receive NHS-funded Nursing Care (if you are in a nursing home) and/or means-tested local-authority support. You can ask for re-assessment if needs increase.
Does CHC cover live-in care at home?
Yes. If you qualify, CHC can fund care in any appropriate setting, including live-in care at home. The NHS team will create a care plan based on assessed needs.
