You can apply for a home support service if you are:
- at home
- in hospital
- in a nursing home and want to return home
When you apply for home support, you can ask for Consumer Directed Home Support (CDHS). This is where the HSE gives you funding for home support.
How to apply for home support
You can get the application form:
- online
- from your local home support office
Home support application form (PDF, 1.26 MB, 18 pages)
Who may complete the application form
You can fill in the application form yourself.
If you are unable to do this, ask someone to fill it in on your behalf.
You could ask:
- your spouse, partner, child or stepchild age 18 or over
- your nominated family member or carer
- your GP or a registered nurse
- another registered healthcare professional, such as a social worker, physiotherapist, occupational therapist or dietitian
You may prefer to ask:
- the committee of a ward of court
- a person appointed under a registered enduring power of attorney
- a decision-making representative appointed by the court
If you choose any of these 3, you will need to include copies of any relevant documents.
If you are applying for the service yourself, you need to sign the declaration and consent section in part 12 of the form.
Only someone who is legally allowed to act for you can sign part 12 instead of you.
Applying on behalf of someone else
If you have difficulty making an informed decision, you can choose someone to help you. This person is called your decision supporter.
A decision supporter is a person appointed by you or by the court under a formal legal arrangement called a decision support arrangement.
They can be:
- a family member or trusted friend (an informal arrangement)
- someone chosen through the decision support service (a formal arrangement)
Your decision supporter can apply for home support on your behalf. They will need to explain why they are applying on your behalf in part 3 of the application form.
Returning the form
When you have filled in the form, post it to your local home support office.
If you are in hospital
If you are in hospital, ask the person managing your discharge plan for a home support application form.
Ask for it as early as possible during your stay to help avoid any delays in going home.