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Caring for someone
Paying for council services
As a carer, there are some services you receive that you may have to pay for. You will not be charged for the services provided to the person you care for.
Assessing your needs
The amount of assistance you may be able to get to help you with your caring role does not depend on the amount you can afford.
Your needs will be looked at in a needs assessment, and then social services will work out what you can afford from a financial assessment. This will usually be done soon after or at the same time as the needs assessment.
You can choose not to have a financial assessment, but then you will have to pay the full amount for the services you receive.
Financial assessment
Your council will complete a financial assessment to work out how much you can afford to pay towards community care. This will be based on your income and your capital. Your income is all the money you have coming in each week. Examples of income include:
- interest from savings
- a private pension
- your State Pension
- benefits, which can include Carer's Allowance at the council's discretion
- salary/wages if you are working
Your capital can include land and buildings - but not the value of the home you live in - and savings.
You should claim all the benefits that you are entitled to, as your contribution will probably be worked out as if you are getting them.
For more information, talk to your social worker or the person that carried out the assessment.
What you may be charged for
There are a number of services that you might be charged for, including:
- home help
- sitting services
- meals
What you will not be charged for
You cannot be charged for
- help and advice, for example filling in forms
- advice and equipment from the council's occupational therapists
- transport for going to day centres
Fairer charging policies
What you are charged for is based on the government's 'fairer charging policies'. This means that you cannot be charged for services if you will be left with less than basic Income Support levels or the Guarantee Credit of Pension Credit, plus 25 per cent.
For more information, contact your social worker or local Citizens Advice Bureau. The Department of Health publishes a document about fairer charging policies on its website. It is aimed at health and social care professionals, but you might find it useful.
How to pay for services
Most social services departments allow you to pay by monthly direct debit. This is used when the same amount of assistance is given regularly. If your circumstances or needs change, contact your social services and they will adjust the amount you pay.
Some social services departments have a 'pay as you go' scheme. This is best used when your needs change each month. This uses a card that you can 'charge' (put money onto) at the post office. You will be given this card and a leaflet describing how to use it.
