Applying for NHS Continuing Healthcare funding can be overwhelming. We’re here to guide you through every stage of the process, from your first Checklist to the final assessment. With expert advice and flexible legal support, we help families across England secure the full funding that their loved ones deserve.
- Get help applying for NHS CHC funding
- Understand eligibility and next steps
- Strengthen your Checklist and evidence
- Know where you stand for the full DST
- Receive expert legal advice and support
- Only pay for the work you need
- Trusted help for families across England
Introduction and Core Value
Help Applying for NHS Continuing Healthcare Funding
Applying for NHS Continuing Healthcare (CHC) funding can feel overwhelming. Especially when you’re already managing care for a loved one. The forms, assessments and rules are confusing, and it’s not always clear what help you're entitled to, or whether there’s a chance your loved one will qualify.
We help families across England understand the process, build strong CHC applications, and stand the best chance of securing full NHS funding.
We offer:
- Clear, step-by-step legal advice
- Honest views on your chances of success
- Support with both applications and appeals
With over 3,000 five-star reviews, we’re known for providing practical help with empathy, not pressure. Whether you’re just getting started or facing delays from the NHS, our team is ready to support you.
“Without Winston, we would never have known what to say in the assessment. Their help changed everything for my mum’s care.”
— Client in Cambridgeshire
What is NHS Continuing Healthcare (CHC)?
NHS Continuing Healthcare (CHC) is a package of care that’s fully funded by the NHS. It’s designed for adults who have ongoing health needs that go beyond social or personal care.
If your loved one qualifies, the NHS will cover:
- Nursing care and healthcare support
- Personal care, like washing or dressing
- Full care home fees, including food and accommodation
- Care provided at home, where appropriate
CHC funding is not means-tested. That means it’s based on your health needs, not your savings or income. There are no top-up fees required, and you don’t need a specific diagnosis to qualify.
What matters most is whether your needs are mainly health-related, and if the level of care you require is complex, intense, or unpredictable.
Who Is Eligible for NHS Continuing Healthcare?
To qualify for CHC funding, your loved one must have a primary health need. This means their care needs are mainly required for health reasons, not just personal or social care. It’s not determined by the setting in which the care is provided (such as residential or nursing) nor by the qualifications of the person providing the care (such as a nurse). It’s determined through an assessment of the level of skill needed to meet your loved one’s needs.
The NHS will assess their eligibility using a formal process that includes:
- A Checklist screening
- A full assessment by a Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT) using the Decision Support Tool (DST)
The DST looks at 12 areas of care needs:
Breathing
- Nutrition
- Continence
- Skin
- Mobility
- Communication
- Psychological and Emotional Needs
- Cognition
- Behaviour
- Drug Therapies and Medication
- Altered States of Consciousness
- Other Significant Care Needs
Each area is graded from “no needs” to “high”, with some domains having “severe” and “priority” levels. If the overall level of needs or “totality” is high, complex, intense or unpredictable (especially if multiple areas are affected) CHC funding may be awarded.
Important
Even if care needs are well-managed, they should still count. The NHS must assess the actual level of support needed, not just how calm things appear on the surface.
How We Help with NHS CHC Applications
We know how hard it can be to understand the NHS Continuing Healthcare process, especially when you're already caring for someone you love. Our role is to help you feel confident, informed, and supported every step of the way.
Here’s how we help:
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Initial Assessment and Advice
We begin by learning about your situation. This may include reviewing medical records or care home notes to understand the level of support your loved one needs.
We’ll give you honest advice about:
- Whether CHC funding might apply
- How strong your case is
- What steps to take next
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Checklist Stage Support
The starting point is usually the Checklist assessment.
We help you prepare by:
- Explaining what the Checklist involves
- Highlighting key care needs that meet the criteria
- Providing written arguments in support of your case
- Attending the Checklist meeting if needed
As the Checklist is intended to be straightforward to complete, key information about needs can be missed, resulting in under-assessment and potentially resulting in a Checklist being negative, where it would otherwise have been positive, so it's crucial to get it right.
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Gathering the Right Evidence
If your case moves forward, we can support you to identify what may be needed to prepare for the assessment. This may include collecting strong supporting evidence, such as:
- Care plans and medical notes
- Records of medication or interventions
- Examples of behaviour or risk that show complexity
We can review these records and advise you about what is key, so that your case can be presented in a way the NHS will understand, making it easier to prove your case.
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Full Representation at the Assessment
When your case reaches the full Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT) assessment, we can act as your advocate. We’ll help you:
- Prepare for the meeting
- Make sure your voice is heard
- Ensure that your relative’s needs are properly explained
This is your main chance to secure funding and we’re here to guide you through it.
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Ongoing Review and Cost Control
We usually work on a time-spent basis, meaning you only pay for the work we do. You stay in control throughout.
We’ll keep you updated on:
- Your case’s progress
- Its likelihood of success
- Whether further action is worth the cost
Our goal is to help you make informed choices and avoid spending money on a case with limited prospects.
Why Choose Winston Solicitors?
When you're applying for NHS Continuing Healthcare funding, you need someone in your corner who understands the system and puts your family first.
Here’s why clients across England trust us:
- Specialist legal expertise in CHC applications and appeals
- Clear, honest advice. No pressure, just answers
- Tailored support based on your situation and budget
- Transparent pricing. No hidden costs
- National recognition for our work on CHC funding
“Most people don’t realise just how complex CHC decisions can be, or how the NHS can get it wrong. Our job is to make sure families understand their rights and present their case clearly.”
— James Urquhart-Burton, Head of NHS CHC at Winston Solicitors
We don’t just know the law. We understand how emotional this process can be, and we’ll stand by you with practical, supportive advice from start to finish.
Ready to Apply for NHS CHC Funding?
If you think your loved one may qualify for NHS Continuing Healthcare, now is the time to get expert advice.
We’ll help you:
- Understand if CHC funding applies to your situation
- Build a strong case from the start
- Navigate the system with confidence
Whether you’re just beginning the process or facing delays or rejection, we’ll step in and support you.
You can:
- Call us for an initial confidential chat
- Send us an email enquiry with some details of your situation
- Or use our free CHC funding calculator to get started
You don’t have to take on the fight alone.
We’ll help you stand up for what’s right and make sure your loved one gets the care and funding they deserve.
It’s a care package fully funded by the NHS for people with serious ongoing health needs. It covers care home fees, nursing care, and support at home.
Eligibility is based on the level of care needed, not finances. If their care is complex, intense, or unpredictable, they may qualify. We can help you assess this.
The Checklist is the first step in the CHC process. It’s a screening tool used to decide if a full assessment is needed. Many cases fail here, but we help you prepare.
Yes, we can represent you during the full assessment, help you prepare, and speak on your behalf if needed.
Yes, but many people find the process confusing. Our legal support gives you the best chance of success and helps avoid mistakes or missed opportunities that could delay or weaken your case.
We usually work on a time-spent basis, so you only pay for the support you use. We provide clear fee estimates in advance, with no hidden costs.
Yes. CHC funding can be awarded at any stage, even if care has been ongoing for months or years. If you believe CHC funding has already been assessed at some stage, reconsideration may now be warranted. Speak to us if you’re not sure.
