Paying for Services Provided in the Community

Your Questions Answered

This page gives you the facts about how we decide how much, if anything, you as a service user will have to pay towards the cost of services we provide in the community.

• What do you mean by 'services we provide in the community'?
• How will you work out how much, if anything, I have to pay?
• What income do you take into account when you work out how much I have to pay?
• How will my savings affect how much I have to pay?
• Will you take the value of my house into account?
• How much do you allow for living costs?
• What are the charges for the services you provide?
• How do I pay for services?
• How will I know if my payments are up to date?
• What other services will I have to pay for?
• What happens if the amount of care I need changes?
• What if I disagree with how much you have asked me to pay?
• What if I am a Self Funder and paying for my own care?
• Complaint, suggestion or compliment
• Safeguarding Adults in Tameside
• Other Formats
• Useful Contacts

What do you mean by 'services we provide in the community'?

These are services which help you to stay in your own home. They include the following:

• Home care and personal support (including night sitting services)
• Day services
• Transport
• Adult Placement

When you receive one or more of the services listed above we call it a care package.

How will you work out how much, if anything, I have to pay?

The amount you have to pay depends on your financial circumstances and the amount of service you receive.

When you are about to receive services in the community, we will ask you to fill in a form (reference HQ182) with details of your finances. A member of staff from our Joint Team (Tameside MBC and the Department for Work and Pensions) will help you fill in the form. From this form we work out how much money you have coming in. We then take off an amount for your living costs. We call the money you have left your 'net chargeable income'.

When we work out how much you have to pay we will count 100% of your net chargeable income and any savings you have over £14,000. If you are living with a partner who is not receiving services, we will work out what you have to pay based on both your incomes and living costs.

If you do not want to give us details of your finances, you will have to pay the maximum charge for all the services you receive.

What income do you take into account when you work out how much I have to pay?

We will take account of most of the money you have coming in, including the following:

• Income Support (IS)
• Guarantee Credit part of Pension Credit
• Attendance Allowance (AA)
• Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
• Severe Disability Premium (SDP)
• Incapacity Benefit/Severe Disablement Allowance
• Retirement Pensions
• Occupational Pensions
• War Disability Pensions

The following sources of income will not be included in a Financial Assessment:

• Employment Income
• Working Families Tax Credit
• Disabled Persons Tax Credit
• Disability Living Allowance mobility component
• War Widows Supplementary Pension
• The Savings Credit part of Pension Credit.

As a general guide, you will not have to pay anything for home care if you fall under the following categories:

• If you are aged 60 and over and your total income per week is at or below £162.50.
• If you are aged between 25 and 59 and your total income per week is at or below £114.75.
• If you are aged between 18 and 24 and your total income per week is at or below £98.06.
• If you are aged between 25 and 59, receiving the Enhanced Disability Premium and your total income per week is at or below £131.50.
• If you are aged between 18 and 24, receiving the Enhanced Disability Premium and your total income per week is at or below £114.75.
• If you are a couple aged 60 and over and your joint total income per week is at or below £248.06.
• If you are a couple aged under 60 and your joint total income per week is at or below £175.13.

How will my savings affect how much I have to pay?

When we work out how much you have to pay, we do not count the first £13,000 of your savings. For every £250, or part of £250, you have over £13,500, we add £1 a week to your income. This added amount is called tariff income and does not reflect the actual interest you get from your savings.

Example:

• You have £18,500 in savings.
• We ignore the first £14,000.
• This leaves £4.500.
• We add £18 to your weekly income.

Will you take the value of my house into account?

We will not take the value of the house you live in into account. However, if you own any other land or property, we will take the value of this into account.

How much do you allow for living costs?

To work out your entitlement, we take account of the following:

• An amount of money equal to basic Income Support/Guarantee Credit part of Pension Credit for someone of your age or circumstances, plus 25% of that amount. We adjust this when rates go up, usually in April each year. This does not include Severe Disability premium which you may receive as part of your Income Support/Pension Credit if you get other disability benefits.
• Your mortgage payments or the rent you pay (after taking off any Housing Benefit you receive).
• Any service charges you must pay under your tenancy agreement.
• The amount of Council Tax you pay (after taking off any Council Tax Benefit you receive).
• £11.80 a week for disability-related costs. These costs include things like the expense of extra heating and extra laundry, replacement clothing, special diets and some private care. If you feel that your disability costs are higher than £11.80 a week, you can ask us to look at them and we may decide to increase the amount we ignore. This decision will be based on your circumstances. We would need to ask you about your disability and for some evidence of the extra costs you have.

What are the charges for the services you provide?

The charges from 6th April 2009 are as follows:

• For home care £10.92 an hour
• For day services, attending a day centre and transport £1.99 (Attendance per Day) £1.40 (Transport each one-way Journey)

However, the most anyone will pay for any combination of the above services will be £182.52 a week.

How do I pay for services?

Direct Debit
You can arrange for your charges to be paid monthly by Direct Debit. Please contact staff within the Finance Section so we can send you the necessary form.

Payment Swipe Card
One method of payment is by using your "swipe" payment card at any Post Office. You can pay during the week you receive a service or you can buy a number of weeks in advance.

Internet Payment via Bank Debit/Credit Cards
You can pay online using your bank credit or debit card.

Cheque Payments
Cheques can be sent in the post to the Finance Section to the address below. You must quote your name, address and reference number on the back of the cheque.

If you would like advice on which payment method is best for you, please ring us.

It is important that you make regular payments to avoid any arrears from accumulating. Unless you have arranged to pay monthly by Direct Debit, the frequency of your payments should be:

• during the week you receive a service or
• buying a number of weeks in advance or
• during the week after you receive a service

How will I know if my payments are up to date?

You will be sent a statement of account regularly. This will show you previous weeks of care you received for up to eight weeks, details of how much you have paid and whether you have paid too much or are in arrears.

If you experience any difficulties in making regular payments, or if you have any queries, then please contact the Finance Section (address at the bottom of the page).

What other services will I have to pay for?

Community meals, a fixed charge will be made for any meals provided at your home or any meals you have at a Day Centre. These are:

• meals on wheels £2.34 per meal
• meals at day centres £2.45 per meal £0.77per drink
• meals at luncheon clubs £2.34 per meal

What happens if the amount of care I need changes?

If you find that you need more, or perhaps less care, you should contact your Social Worker, whose name and telephone number will be on your care plan. They will review your situation. If as a result of this the amount of care changes, the amount you pay may change too.

You will be notified of any change to your charge by the Finance Section.

What if I disagree with how much you have asked me to pay?

You cannot appeal against the fixed charges for meals, which everyone has to pay.

If you are not happy about the other charges we have asked you to pay, you can ask for a review. We have available a 'Reviews and Appeals' leaflet which explains how you can ask for a review and what will happen.

Please use the Contact Details below if you want a copy.

What if I am a Self Funder and paying for my own care?

If you are paying for your own care, you are considered to be "Self funding". If you are a Self funder and not receiving any of our adult care services you are still entitled to help, information and advice about staying in your own home or moving into a care home.

Our Customer Care Officers will be pleased to advise you and can make home visits if necessary. We can provide information in a wide range of different formats and will provide an interpreter if necessary. Additionally, highly trained Welfare Rights Officers are available and can advise you about benefits, allowances and pension entitlements.

Complaints, Suggestions and Compliments

If you would like to make a complaint, suggestion or compliment about our service please contact your Social Worker or the manager of that service.

If you have made a complaint and are unhappy with the response you get contact the Complaints Manager for Adult Services.

Safeguarding Adults in Tameside

If you are being abused or suspect that somebody you know is being abused in any way, please do not ignore it. You can report your concerns or worries by contacting the Safeguarding Adults Team.

You do not have to give your name and any information will be treated confidentially. We will always respect the wishes and feelings of the person at risk of abuse.

Other Formats

This information can be made available in other formats such as Large Print, Braille, Audiotape and CD and in a format accessible to people with a learning disability. To get a copy please contact The Public Information Team.

We can also translate the information into a wide range of other languages both European and Asian.

Contact Information
Send us a Message	Finance Section (Rm 2.73) Adult Services Tameside MBC Council Offices Wellington Road Ashton under Lyne Lancs OL6 6DL View local map
0161 342 2253/2702/3357
0161 342 2248
0161 342 3361