AC-2017-302 Changes to Adult Care charging policy

Overview

Overview of proposal

Changes are proposed to the Adult Care Charging Policy from April 2017.  These changes will bring the Charging Policy in line with national changes to benefits and pension payments.

It is proposed to link the minimum income guarantee (the amount of income we ‘protect’ from charges) to an individuals’ pensionable age rather than their actual age.

It is proposed to stop disregarding the higher rate of Disability Living Allowance (DLA) as part of the financial assessment.  This is linked to changes to DLA for service users of non-pensionable age and the move towards the Personal Independent Payment instead. It is proposed to remove the cap on charges for non-residential care and support.

Overall impact of proposed change

Some service users will be expected to pay more for their non-residential care and support and some will pay less for their residential care, of the net impact of this change is £195,000 per annum.

Impact on affected service users

Service users who are 60 years plus but not yet at pensionable age could be required to pay more for their non-residential care and support and less for any residential care, subject to a means test and the value of their care and support. Service users receiving the higher rate of Disability Living Allowance could be required to pay more for their care and support, subject to a means test and the value of their care and support.

Service users who receive services following a detainment under the Mental Health Act could be required to start paying for their care and support where these services do not relate to the reason for the detainment.

Total Savings: 2017/18 £141,000 ongoing & 2018/19 £54,000

You can find the full proposal document, which includes the Equality Impact Assessment, below in the related documents section.