For people with eligible care and support needs (who are not receiving services under s117), any service provided (except where there is eligibility for continuing health care or an NHS funded personal health budget) is chargeable and the person must undergo a financial assessment.

Aftercare services provided under s117 are non-chargeable therefore a financial assessment is not required. It may however be required for services outside the scope of s117 aftercare or 'top-up' to accommodation costs.

S117 aftercare services can be provided through a direct payment. Further information can be found in the direct payments section. For Islington further information can be found on the Council's website.

In February 2019 - the Department of Health and Social Care announced that the legal right to a personal health budget will be extended to people eligible for s117 aftercare services. It is expected that this will come into effect 1^st April 2020. Further information can be found on NHS England's website under personal health budgets.

The Care Act also now allows a person to top-up the cost of their care under s117 should they wish to select a provider of their choice whose costs exceed their assessed need, as defined by the Council and cost of their care. Further information for Camden can be found within the Paying for Care section and Charges for Care Homes booklet for Islington.

Top-ups are not permissible with NHS funded personal health budgets, except for in particular cases, such as people accessing wheelchairs.