Ancillary State support is an optional element of the Nursing Homes Support Scheme which may be available to people who have land-based assets in the State. It is effectively a loan advanced by the State which can be repaid at any time, but which will ultimately fall due for repayment upon the applicant's death. In order to avail of ancillary State support, the HSE must register a Charging Order against the asset. The Charging Order is a simple type of mortgage which secures the money loaned by the HSE.
The fact that an applicant to the Scheme has availed of an equity release scheme is not, of itself, a barrier to ancillary State support being approved. In such cases any money that applicant received from the equity release which is still in their possession would be taken into account during the financial assessment and any equity remaining in the asset may still be considered for the loan. However, the HSE does not have to approve an application for ancillary state support where it is not satisfied that there is sufficient equity remaining in the asset to ensure the security of the loan.