Find out about changes to our services and Christmas opening times on our Festive information page. To find out when your bin will be collected over the festive period, visit Changes to County Durham bin collections at Christmas.

Due to maintenance, the following systems will be unavailable from 11.45am on Tuesday 24 December until 8.00am on Thursday 2 January: our online Council Tax, business rates and housing benefit services, and our welfare assistance form. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.

Paying for care and support

There is usually a cost for care and support services, unlike health care which is free to everyone at the point of delivery.

Here you can find information about charging, how to apply for financial help and ways to pay for your care and support services.

You may find it useful to get advice from an independent financial adviser or an independent organisation. Locate - care and support in County Durham can help you search for local independent financial advisers.

How much you will have to pay for care and support services

Direct payments - money for services you can arrange yourself

Elderly person using a mobility hand rail

Disabled Facilities Grant

People having discussions to arrange care

Arranging for someone else's care