Archived decisions

REPORT OF THE

EXECUTIVE MEMBER

ADULT SOCIAL CARE

PART II

CHARGING POLICY FOR NON-RESIDENTIAL SERVICES

1. The Executive Member has approved:

· The closure of Direct Payments Option A to new applicants with immediate effect and to existing recipients as financial assessments are carried out with the anticipated completion date of 30 September 2006.


· The inclusion of capital (savings and investments) in the financial assessment to take effect from 1 July 2006 for new service users and 1 January 2007 for existing service users, using:


· Capital thresholds of £12,750, below which capital would not be taken into account, and £21,000, above which service users would be expected to bear the full cost of their care;


· A tariff income of £1 for every £250 of capital for service users with capital between the two thresholds.

· An increase in the proportion of disposable income taken into account for charging purposes from the existing 75% to 95% with effect from 1 July 2006.


· An introduction of an upper limit to the weekly charge of £385.21.

2. These changes recognise that there were some inequities in the current policy, that the County Council was out-of step with neighbouring authorities and that the County Council's overall financial position demanded that ways of increasing income from charges be explored.

3. A full consultation process was carried out with service users, their carers/agents, organisations representing their interests, staff of the Adult Services Department and the County Treasurer's Financial Assessments and Benefits Team and the general public (via the Citizens Panel) prior to the Executive Member decision.

4. The comments received, which centred on taking account of capital, assessing charges based on 100% of the service users disposable income and an upper limit to the weekly limit, were reported and taken into account together with a deputation from the Hampshire Centre for Independent Living.

5. This supports aim 5 of the Corporate strategy and will allow an improvement in services and ensure that income from charges is maximised.

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