Eligibility Criteria

Understanding the eligibility criteria

Eligibility criteria are rules that allow the council to use its resources to support those people who are most in need of services and whose needs most seriously affect their independence. The government issued eligibility criteria framework for adults over 16 who need social care support to ensure they have their needs met fairly across the country. Fife Council has to use the framework when determining someone's eligibility for services. The criteria is based on how the person's needs affect their independence. If a person's social care or health needs prevent them from achieving important goals in their life such as their health, staying safe and well, having choice and control, personal dignity and respect, or making a positive contribution to their family or local community then it is seen that their independence is being affected. The eligibility criteria rules are divided into four bands - low, moderate, substantial and critical. Due to limited resources Fife Council can only offer support packages to those who have critical need but can offer advice and information to everyone. If you don't meet the eligibility criteria you can give us a call to arrange to meet the SDS Options Advisor who can look at alternative sources of support and ways to meet your outcomes through community resources so don't feel that because you don't meet the critical band that you are unable to get any help just get in touch with us.


Below are details about the eligibility criteria taken from Fife Council's guide to eligibility criteria for adults and older people. It is for information only, it will be up to the social worker assessing you which band you fall under. If any of the bullet points apply to you then the council can help you by offering advice, information or redirection. When you phone the contact centre they will carry out an assessment over the phone to assess your circumstances and will then tell you if you will be contacted by a member of social work or will sign post you to other organisations if they are unable to help. Each case is looked at individually with those that are most critical will be given priority so if offered an SDS assessment there may be a wait before you receive an appointment and there is no guarantee that services will be offered.

​Low Band

  • Small risk to your health and safety which can be managed or prevented.
  • Behaviour or lifestyle presents a possible risk to yourself or others.
  • Your home environment places a minimal restriction on the choice and control you have over your life
  • You have one or two personal care or domestic tasks you are unable to do.
  • You are unable to be as involved as you used to be in one or two areas of work, education or learning.
  • Personal relationships are strained at times but not at risk of breaking down.
  • There is a possibility that one of two social supports or relationships cannot be sustained.

Moderate Band

  • Your behaviour presents a moderate risk to yourself or others.
  • You suffer from preventable health problems or injuries from time to time.
  • Your home environment limits your choice and control over your life.
  • You need help getting around outside of your home.
  • You are unable to carry out some of your personal care and domestic tasks.
  • You need help to carry out three or less personal care or domestic tasks over the course of a week.
  • You need help maintaining the cleanliness of your home.
  • You need help with shopping for items you don't use every day.
  • You need help with routine laundry

Substantial Band

  • Abuse has happened or is likely to happen.
  • There is a strong suspicion of the risk of abuse.
  • Your lifestyle, behaviour and personal care poses a significant risk to yourself or others.
  • You are at risk of falling when moving around or being moved e.g. from your bed to a chair.
  • Your health and safety is at risk because of your home environment.
  • You only have partial choice and control over vital aspects of your immediate environment.
  • You are seriously restricted in what you do because of your home environment.
  • You are disorientated even in familiar places.
  • You have communication difficulties or a sensory loss, which have a major impact on your life.
  • Your ability to make an informed choice or take control over vital aspects of your life is restricted.

Critical Band

  • You need social care support because of major health problems which could cause life-threatening harm to yourself or others.
  • You are or are likely to suffer serious abuse or neglect.
  • You have caused or are likely to cause serious abuse or neglect.
  • Your life is threatened by the way you live, your home environment or your behaviour.
  • You are at constant risk of falling.
  • You are unable to make your essential needs known to others.
  • You are unable to keep yourself safe from dangerous or harmful situations.
  • You are unable to recognise risks or dangers to yourself or others.
  • You have no choice over vital aspects of your immediate environment.
  • You are unable to manage the essential personal care or domestic tasks which you need to do each day e.g. you are unable to manage to feed yourself or drink enough to avoid serious risk to your health, or you are unable to maintain a level of personal hygiene which will avoid any serious risk to your health.
  • The loss of your current employment or education will have a major impact on you.
  • You are unable to continue to carry out essential family or social responsibilities.
  • You have important personal or close relationships that are at risk or breakdown or have broken down.