APRIL 2017

Bury Council, Dept for Communities and Wellbeing

Personalisation and Support Business Team

First Floor

3 Knowsley Place

Duke Street

Bury BL9 0EJ

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Bury Prestwich Radcliffe Ramsbottom Tottington Whitefield

Bury Council

A Guide to

Chargesfor Social Care Services

for Adults Living at Home

April 2017 - March 2018

DEPT. FOR COMMUNITIES AND WELLBEING

If you would like to ask any questions, please contact thePersonalisation and Support Business Team on 0161 2537449 – we will be happy to help you.

THe CHArgeS quoTeD In THIS BookLeT Are THoSe IneffeCT froM APrIL 2017.

Introduction

Bury Council, Dept for Communities and Wellbeing provides a rangeof care services for people over 18 who need them. We also supporttheir carers (friends or relatives) who help to look after them.

This leaflet explains how much you may have to pay if you arereceiving care at home or travelling to a day service, arranged byBury Council, Dept for Communities and Wellbeing.

If you receive short stay or respite services in a residential carehome you will need to refer to the leaflet “A Guide to Charges forCare in Residential & Nursing Homes” for details of the charges forthis type of care service.

Declaration of Information

When asked to provide financial information you must give full andaccurate information. It is an offence to give false information orto withhold information with the intention of avoiding or reducing aliability to pay for services that you would otherwise have to payfor. Bury Council will prosecute any person found to have withheldinformation or who has given false information. Those who hold aPower of Attorney or complete the form on behalf of a relative mayalso be prosecuted in such circumstances.

National Fraud Initiative

The Authority is under a duty to protect the public funds itadministers and may use the information you provide for theprevention and detection of fraud. Key personal identifiers may beshared with other organisations responsible for auditing andadministering public funds. For further information please seehttp://www.bury.gov.uk/index.aspx?articleid=10645

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Why does Bury Council, Dept for Communities and Wellbeingcharge for some services?

For a number of years Central Government has allowed CouncilDepartments to make charges for some of the services that weprovide. Most other Councils also make a charge for these services.

The Care Act 2014 has set guidelines to make sure that Councilsdon’t charge you more than you can reasonably afford for careservices in your own home, or when you attend a day service.

However, none of these charges cover the full cost of providingthose services. They are all ‘subsidised’ services, the balancebeing funded through a combination of Central Government grantand Council Tax.

The main features of the rules are:

• When we assess how much you may have to pay for the care services you receive, we must now also take account of any expenses you have because of your disability, as well as your income.• Rather than posting you a ‘financial assessment form’ to fill in, we will now arrange to make an appointment for a Financial Assessor to visit you at your home.• As well as helping you work out how much you will have to pay towards the costs of your services, the Financial Assessor will check to see if you are claiming all the benefits you are entitled to, and help you claim any you don’t already get.• Transport to a day service: we can charge for transport as part of the package of care services. • Direct Payments and Personal Budgets: people who receive a cash equivalent to arrange or purchase their own care are financially assessed in the same way as if they were receiving direct care services.• The financial assessment is the same irrespective of whether the services are provided by a private agency, Persona Care Services or by Bury Council.

Which care services does Bury Council, Dept forCommunities and Wellbeing charge for?

If you receive any of the following types of care, you may have tomake a contribution towards the cost of the service:

• Care Services (Home/Domiciliary Care at home) • Night sitting• Supported living schemes• Transport to Day Services• Direct Payments• Personal Budgets• Community Alarms• Sheltered Housing – Warden Services• Meals at Day Care Centres

Which care services does Bury Council, Dept for Communitiesand Wellbeing NOT charge for?

Bury Council, Dept for Communities and Wellbeing currently doesnot charge anybody for the following care services:

• Attending a Day Service (subject to review during 2017/18)• Social Workers – for advice, support and assessment• Carer Services Officers – for advice, support and assessment

How do we decide how much you should pay?

The charges we make will depend on:

• The type and amount of services you receive, and• Your individual financial circumstances

What types of charges are there?

We have 2 types of charge:

• A ‘fixed rate’ charge – this means that everybody pays the same amount. We charge in this way for:

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Charge (at April 2017)Meals at day centres lunch £4.27 tea £2.99

• A ‘financially assessed’ charge. This applies to the other careservices listed above. Each service has a ‘standard’ rate but theamount you will actually pay will depend on your own financialcircumstances.

WE WILL NOT ASK YOU TO PAY MORE THAN WE FEEL YOU CANREASONABLY AFFORD.

How do we decide how much you will pay?

STeP one: Assessment of your care needs

This will be carried out by a Social Worker or a Social Care Officer.From this, we determine what kind of services you require and howmuch we can offer you to meet your needs. Once agreed, you areentitled to a copy of your Care Plan or we will work with you todetermine your Support Plan. This explains what services will beprovided.

STeP TWo: A ‘financial assessment’ home visit

We will arrange to make an appointment for a Financial Assessor tovisit you at your home. You are welcome to have a friend or relativepresent to help you if you wish.

The purpose of the visit is to:• Work out how much you will have to pay towards the costs of your services, both in terms of your income and expenditure relating to your disability.• Check to see if you are claiming all the benefits you are entitled to, and help you claim any you don’t already get.

STeP THree: Assessing your income

We will ask for evidence of all your income and savings.

Examples include:• Pensions – state retirement, works pension or private pension• Income Support• Pension Credit • Savings in a bank, building society or post office• National Savings, ISA’s and premium bonds• Dividends on stocks, shares, unit trusts• Any earned income • Disability Living Allowance (DLA)• Personal Independence Payment (PiP)• Attendance Allowance• Severe disablement allowance• Employment Support allowance

We also calculate a ‘tariff’ income based on your savings as follows:• The first £14,250 of your savings is not counted• £1.00 per week for each part of £250 of any capital between £14,250 and £23,250(note: the calculation we make is different from the one the DWP uses to assess ‘Pension Credit’).

We do not count the mobility component of DLA or any WarWidows or War Disablement Pension, nor any earned income.

When we say “evidence” of income and savings, we mean DWPletters, bank passbooks, bank statements and share certificates.

However, you will be charged the full standard rate, up to amaximum of £400 a week, for the services you receive:

• If you do not wish to tell us about your financial details, or• If your savings are more than £23,250.

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The standard rates at April 2017 are:

Home Care £13.90 per hourSupported Living £13.90 per hournight sitting £84.00 per night (12 hours)Transport to day centres £4.60 per return journey £2.40 per single journey

STeP four: Assessing your household costs

We will ask for evidence of certain household costs (where theseare not already met from other benefits – e.g. Housing Benefit).

These include:• Mortgage payments• Rent• Building Insurance premiums • Council tax

Note: if you live with someone else, we may only allow aproportion of these costs.

STeP fIVe: Assessing your disability related expenses

We will also ask for evidence of expenses (i.e. receipts) that youpay from your own money specifically because of your disability.

These may include:• Extra laundry and/or bedding costs• Community alarms• Privately arranged household help (shopping, cleaning etc)• Special clothing• Special diets• Maintenance contract costs of Special equipment • Extra heating or water costs• Help in the garden• Depreciation costs re: special equipment

However, this is in no way intended to be an exhaustive list ofpossible disability related costs. If you think that you are incurringother costs because of your disability, please discuss these with theFinancial Assessor.

Because we recognise that you may not know, or be able toprovide evidence of, how much you have to spend because of yourdisability, we could automatically assume that these costs will addup to £15.00 per week. However, this is very much a minimumfigure, so if you think that you have to spend more than this,please discuss this with the Financial Assessor.

STeP SIX: How much will you have to pay each week?

1. We work out your “assumed weekly income”, as in Step three

2. We add together your:• Household costs, as in Step Four

• Disability related costs, as in Step Five

• Assumed Basic income support level (or pension credit), plus a further 25%.

We call this figure your “personal allowance”.

3. If your “assumed weekly income” is less than your “personal allowance”, the charge for your services will be nil.

4. If your “assumed weekly income” is more than your “personal allowance” you will pay either 100% of the difference (regardless of the number of hours of service you actually receive), or the ‘standard rate charge’ (as in the previous table), whichever is the lower.

5. The absolute maximum that anyone would have to pay is £400 per week.

Charges will start from the start date of service. You will begiven a copy of the provisional assessment at the visit. We willalso send you a formal written notification of the actual chargesusually within seven days.

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Charges will be made for services received by blocks of 15 minutes.

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What if you are a couple?

If you are part of a married couple, or living with a partner, it maybe beneficial to have a joint financial assessment, rather than anindividual financial assessment. To do this you will need to disclosethe financial circumstances of both people. The financial assessmentto be used would be the lower of the individual or the jointassessment.

BeCAuSe THe CALCuLATIonS CAn SeeM CoMPLICATeD, 4 eXAMPLeS of THeSe CALCuLATIonS APPeAr on THefoLLoWIng PAgeS.

Examples of how we work out how much you will pay:

example one;Mrs Smith is aged 91 years, and lives alone. She has beenassessed to require 14 hours care service a week. Her onlyincome is Pension Credit of £159.35 per week plus AttendanceAllowance of £55.65. She has savings of £5,000, but these areexcluded (as they are less than £14,250).

Mrs Smith’s “Assumed Weekly Income” Income Support/Pension Credit £159.35Attendance Allowance £55.65Total “Assumed Weekly Income” £215.00

Mrs Smith’s “Personal Allowances”Household expenses £8.00 Disability related expenses £15.00Basic Income Support/Pension Credit, plus 25% £194.50Total “Personal Allowances” £217.50

What will Mrs Smith pay?Total “Assumed Weekly Income” (see above) £215.00LESS: Total “Personal Allowances” (see above) £217.50Excess of “Assumed weekly income” over “personal allowances” £NILAmount payable (per week) £nIL

note: had Mrs. Smith declined to have a financial assessment, thecharge for these services would have been £194.60!

example Two;Mrs Green is 80 years old and lives alone. She requires a highlevel of support both at night and during the day. Bury Council,Dept for Communities and Wellbeing has assessed her as requiring1 night sit and 10 hours per week care services as well as 2 daysper week at a day centre.

• Care services: Standard charge for care 10 hours @ £13.90/hour, plus 1 night sit £84.00. Care Centre transport is £9.20 return (2 journeys). Total Standard charge is £232.20.

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• Mrs Green also has £18,240 in savings. We calculate a tariff income. We do not count the first £14,250. We calculate £1.00 per week for every part of £250.

The calculation is: £18,240 minus £14,250 = £ 3,990/250 = £15.96which works out to be £16.00 Tariff Income per week.

Mrs green’s “Assumed Weekly Income” State Pension £122.30Own Pension £120.00DLA (Care) – Middle Rate £55.65Tariff Income (see calculation above) £16.00Total “Assumed Weekly Income”: £313.95

Mrs green’s “Personal Allowances” Household expenses £25.00Disability related expenses £23.55Basic Income Support/Pension Credit, plus 25% £194.50Total “Personal Allowances” £243.05

What will Mrs green pay? Total “Assumed Weekly Income” (see above) £313.95LESS: Total “Personal Allowances” (see above) £243.05Difference £70.90Standard Charge for all the services received: £232.20Amount payable (per week) £70.90

In this example, Mrs Green will pay 100% of the differencebetween her “assumed weekly income” and her “personalallowances” – i.e. £70.90. This sum covers care service, the nightsitting and transport to the day centre, but not any meals taken.

But had Mrs. green declined to have a financial assessment,she would have had to pay £232.20 – an extra £161.30 perweek!

example Three;John Grey is aged 36, and has severe disabilities. His incomeconsists entirely of income support. John attends day care 5 daysa week, transport provided by Bury Council, Dept for Communitiesand Wellbeing. He is assessed as requiring a total of 16 hourssupport at home each week. John has no savings.

The standard charge for these services would be 16 x £13.90 =£222.40, plus 5 x £4.60 transport = £23.00, a total of £245.40.

Mr grey’s “Assumed Weekly Income”Personal Allowance £73.10Disability Premium £32.55Severe Disability Premium £62.45Enhanced Disability Premium £15.90DLA (Care) – Middle Rate £55.65DLA (Mobility) – Higher Rate EXCLUDED FROM ASSESSMENT £NILTotal “Assumed Weekly Income” £239.65

Mr grey’s “Personal Allowances”Household expenses £5.00Disability related expenses £20.00Basic Income Support/Pension Credit, plus 25% £151.45Total “Personal Allowances” £176.45

What will Mr grey pay?Total “Assumed Weekly Income” (see above) £239.65LESS: Total “Personal Allowances” (see above) £176.45Difference £63.20Standard Charge for all the services received £245.40Amount payable (per week) £63.20

In this example, Mr Grey will pay 100% of the difference betweenhis “assumed weekly income” and his “personal allowances” – i.e.£63.20. This sum covers both his care at home and transport tothe day centre, but not any meals taken.

Had Mr. grey declined to have a financial assessment, hewould have had to pay £245.40 – an extra £182.20 per week!

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example four;Graham McDonald is a 40 year old man with a learning disability.He is a council house tenant and needs someone to care for him atall times which is provided by Bury Council, Dept for Communitiesand Wellbeing. His income consists entirely of DWP benefits. Hehas £1,500 in savings. Each week Graham receives 63 hours ofsupport at home, 7 sleep-ins and 3 days at Day Care.

The standard charge for these services would be: 63 x £13.90 perhour = £875.70, plus 7 x £84.00 = £588.00 and 3 x £4.60 =£13.80, a total of £1447.50.

Mr McDonald’s “Assumed Weekly Income”Personal Allowance £73.10Disability Premium £32.55Severe Disability Premium £62.45Enhanced Disability Premium £15.90DLA (Care) – Higher Rate £83.10DLA (Mobility) – Higher Rate EXCLUDED FROM ASSESSMENT £NILTotal “Assumed Weekly Income” £267.10

Mr McDonald’s “Personal Allowances” Household expenses £NILDisability related expenses £15.00Basic Income Support/Pension Credit, plus 25% £151.45Total “Personal Allowances” £166.45

What will Mr McDonald pay?Total “Assumed Weekly Income” (see above) £267.10LESS: Total “Personal Allowances” (see above) £166.45Difference £100.65Standard Charge for all the services received £1477.50 Amount payable (per week) £100.65

In this example, Mr McDonald will pay 100% of the differencebetween his “assumed weekly income” and his “personalallowances” – i.e. £100.65. This sum covers both his care at homeand transport to the day centre, but not any meals taken.

Had Mr. McDonald declined to have a financial assessment, hewould have had to pay £400.00 – an extra £299.35 per week!

How can you pay these charges?

We will send you an invoice covering a four-weekly period inarrears for the services you actually received rather than for the care planned service.

The invoice will normally be sent to the person receiving the service,although we can make alternative arrangements if you wish.

If you receive a Direct Payment Personal Budget to arrange yourservices direct, the financially assessed charge will be deductedfrom the Direct Payment we make to you or your Managed Accountprovider. You will need to make the necessary arrangements topay the same amount into your Direct Payments account.

You can pay Invoices:

The back of the invoice will provide full details of the methods ofpayment accepted. These are;

DIreCT DeBITProvided that you have a bank or building society account youshould be eligible to pay this way. A simple instruction is given toyour bank or building society who then ensure that the appropriateamount is transferred from your account to the Council when it isdue. You will be notified in advance by the Council of the paymentsand the due dates. If any error is made, you are guaranteed a fulland immediate refund from your bank of the amount paid. If youwish to pay by this method please telephone 0161 253 5056.

DeBIT or CreDIT CArD(Visa Credit, MasterCard, Visa Electron, Visa Debit or Maestro)24 hour automated telephone service 0845 305 219724 hour internet payment facility using our secure card server atwww.bury.gov.ukPlease note that if you pay by credit card you will also haveto pay the bank commission charge of 1.3%.

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BACS or InTerneT/TeLePHone BAnkIng Direct to our bank Barclays Bank PLC, 1 Central Street, Bury, BL90JN. Sort Code 20-16-08 Account Number 33020983. Pleaseensure that you quote your invoice number as shown on the frontof the invoice or send a payment advice to the Income Section,Room 10, Town Hall, Knowsley Street, Bury, BL9 OSW (Emailincome@bury.gov.uk)

PoST offICeYou can use the bar coded invoice at any Post Office free of charge.Cheques should be made payable to POST OFFICE LTD.

PAYPoInT ouTLeT Use the bar coded invoice at any PayPoint outlet free of charge bycash or debit card.

PoSTPlease cut off the payment slip at the bottom of the invoice and sendit together with your payment to the Payments office, TownHall, knowsley Street, Bury, BL9 0SW. Cheques should be madepayable to Bury Council. If you require a receipt please send inthe whole of the invoice together with a stamped addressedenvelope. Cash or Notes should not be sent through the post.

PerSonAL VISIT • Bury Town Hall, Knowsley Street 9.00am – 4.30pm Mon to Fri• Prestwich, Longfield Centre 9.00am – 4.30pm Mon to Fri (by cash, cheque, debit or credit card) (closes at 1.00pm on Wed)

LIBrArY PAYMenT SerVICe (cheque, debit or credit card only)Available during the library’s opening times, including evenings andweekends• Bury Central Library, Manchester Rd Mon to Sat• Radcliffe Library, Stand Lane Mon to Sat • Prestwich Library, Longfield Centre Mon to Sun • Whitefield Library, Pinfold Lane Mon to Sat (closed Wed) • Tottington Library, Market Street Mon to Sat (closed Wed)• Ramsbottom Library, Carr Street Mon to Sat (closed Wed)• Unsworth Library, Sunnybank Road Mon to Sat (closed Wed)• Topping Fold Library, Topping Fold Rd Tues, Wed, Thurs & Sat

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What you can do if you disagree with your charge

• If the Financial Assessor has included everything he or she canaccept but you still believe that your charge has not beenworked out properly, you can ask for a Review against it. Youshould write to the Personalisation and Support BusinessManager, Bury Council, Dept for Communities and Wellbeing,First Floor, 3 Knowsley Place, Duke Street, Bury, BL9 0EJ, statingyour reasons for Review.

• We will write to you with the result of your Review within 4 weeks.

• If you are still dissatisfied, you can make use of the Council’s formal complaint procedures.

If your finances change after the assessment, what should you do?

We aim to make a re-assessment of your financial circumstances at12 monthly intervals. We will send you a revised charge assessmenteach April to coincide with the DWP benefits and other annualincreases. We may also arrange to make an appointment for aFinancial Assessor to visit you at your home, to review both yourincome, and outgoings.

However, you can and should request a re-assessment ofcharges at any time if you think that your circumstanceshave changed.

What if you are finding it hard to keep up with your payments?

If you are finding it hard or are not able to pay your invoices,please contact Bury Council, Dept for Communities and Wellbeing,Personalisation and Support Business Team as soon as possible.

It will then be possible to discuss the situation with you and checkthat what we have asked you to pay is reasonable.

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It is important not just to ignore an invoice. As bills add upit will be harder to work with you to find a solution. We have aduty to collect all arrears. Circumstances of non payment orrefusal to pay may be prosecuted as an offence of Fraud.

Who to contact if you have queries?

You can get more information about the Charging Policy andFinancial Assessments process by contacting:

Bury Council, Dept for Communities and Wellbeing, Personalisationand Support Business Team, First Floor, 3 Knowsley Place, DukeStreet, Bury, BL9 0EJ.

• For queries about your financial assessment and charge calculation, please contact the above address or telephone 0161 253 7449.

• For queries about the number of Care Service hours we have charged for, please contact your care service provider.

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