Why charge for services?

Community Care Services have to work within fixed budgets each year but must make sure that services are provided to people most in need.

The services we provide are subsidised; paid for from government grants, council tax and contributions towards the cost by clients.

We charge clients for services such as day care, transport and home care, based on ability to pay. The amount payable is calculated by assessing your financial situation including details of your capital and income.

When will charges be decided?

Any services we arrange will be decided by meeting with you and, if you choose, the people who regularly care for you. This is called an assessment of need.

Once services to meet these needs are arranged we look at your financial situation to work out whether you are able to pay our charges and, if so, how much. This is called a financial assessment.

Even if you receive several different services a single charge will be made. The amount payable will vary depending on your circumstances: you may pay nothing or a range of charges.

How are my finances assessed?

A financial assessment officer explains the process in detail and asks you about your:

• income
• savings
• capital
• expenditure allowances

The assessment is usually done by meeting with you and/or your representative at a mutually convenient time. If this is not practical the assessment may be done by telephone or post.

You will need to provide evidence to support the information you give.

What counts as income?

The following examples qualify as income:

Benefits such as Pension Credit, Income Support, Attendance Allowance, Disability Living Allowance Care Component, state, occupational or retirement pensions,

Earnings from employment will not be counted in the financial assessment.

What counts as capital?

Capital includes all forms of cash savings such as:

• money in bank or building society current and deposit accounts
• Post Office, National Savings and premium bonds
• PEPs, TESSAs, ISAs, stocks, shares, unit trusts
• if the total of your capital is less than £15,000 your capital is disregarded
• if your total capital is more than £25,000 you are charged the maximum contribution for services
• for capital amounts between £15,000-£25,000 you are deemed to have an additional income of £1.00 per week for each £250 or part of £250 between these amounts.

The value of the property you live in is not included.

What expenditure is counted?

Our financial assessment also involves considering the money you have to pay out each week on disability related expenditure.

This includes:

• what you might pay for services such as private domestic help or gardening
• expenditure on incontinence products, laundry or clothes
• the cost of extra heating and power.

There is a protected weekly income figure (income disregard) to make sure your income does not fall below basic pension credit/income support rates + 25%.

What if I choose not to be financially assessed?

If you do not wish to have your financial situation assessed, you will be asked to pay the maximum contribution towards the total cost of the care provided.

What we need to see

It would help if you have the following available for the Financial Assessment Officer:

Income

• Evidence of pension, income support etc
• Notification of private/occupational pension

Savings

• Bank statements
• Building society books
• Information about stocks and shares
• Details of TESSAs, PEPs, ISAs and other financial investments

Expenditure

• Evidence of disability related expenditure may be required in certain situations. The Financial Assessment Officer will discuss this with you.
  

What are the maximum contributions?

Here are the rates which apply until 31 March 2009

Home care per hour  £15.60

Attending a day centre per day  £9.12

Transport per day  £5.42

Letting you know how much to pay

Within a few days of the Financial Assessment Officer collecting the information, we send you a letter telling you what weekly charge, if any, will be made.

The Council's Revenue and Benefits section then writes to you to tell you when the charge will start and how you can pay.

We also write to you each year to let you know when charges are revised and to review your financial circumstances.

How to pay your bill

We offer a number of different ways to pay your bill.

Changes in your circumstances

Please let us know of any changes that would affect the charging arrangements such as:

• you no longer receive care
• you go into hospital
• the amount of your capital goes down below the lower limit.

How to contact us

Joint Financial Assessment and Benefits Team

Tamarisk House, 1 Cotlands Road, Bournemouth, BH1 3BG

Telephone: 01202 858555