Supported Living

Supported living is a service designed to help people with a wide range of support needs retain their independence by being supported in their own home. People in supported living have their own tenancy and are responsible for their own bills and cost of living. This may include full or part furnishing and repairing any damage – exact details will vary locally. To afford these, the person may be entitled to a wide range of benefits and grants. In single person supported living, they will also have their own front door.

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What is the difference between supported living and residential care?

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Supported living is suited to people who require support to gain more independence to help them live in their own home. Whereas, residential care is better suited for people who require specialist care around the clock.

People in supported living are responsible for their own bills and cost of living. To afford this, the person may be entitled to a wide range of benefits such as:

• Housing Benefit (HB)

• Personal Independence Payments (PIP)

• Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)

• Mobility Allowance

• Attendance Allowance (AA.)

In supported living, people pay for their own holidays, including additional staff costs. Like anyone else, people in supported living pay their own domestic bills and shopping costs, together with costs incurred by staff in the course of the support they provide – such as bus fares and activities.

Supported living isn’t necessarily more expensive overall, but because families are often involved in seeing and managing the money for the first time, it can look quite alarming to those who have been used to the ‘all-inclusive’ deal in a care home.