To approve changes to the care and support charging policy. 

That:

a)    The response to the recommendations of the adults and wellbeing scrutiny committee at appendix 9 be approved; and

b)    The recommendations 1- 4 in this report be approved and incorporated into the care and support charging policy; and

c)    The policy changes take effect on 11 April 2022.

1.             Continue with the current policy. This could leave the majority of service users with insufficient disposable income for living costs, it fails to address inequitable application of discretionary income disregards and the complex approach to charging for short stays in a care home.

2.             Allow an additional percentage of disposable income to be retained. This is rejected on the basis that the policy provides a minimum income guarantee (MIG) that is above the levels set in the care and support (assessment of resources) regulations 2014 and currently published by the Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC). It also ensures that after paying for care people are left with sufficient income to meet any household expenses (such as council tax and rent) and disability related expenses, and provides an income guarantee that is 25% above the income guarantee in Department for Work and Pensions income related benefits. If 90% of disposable income was included in the financial means-test in addition to the proposed MIG, this would benefit all charge payers but cost the council an additional £498,000 per annum.

3.             Apply an income disregard to all enhanced disability benefits, equivalent to the disregarded amount for Disability Living Allowance and Attendance Allowance benefits (currently £29.60 a week, increasing to £30.55 from 11 April 2022). This would ensure that the treatment of income from disability benefits is equitable, but will result in a loss of budgeted income circa £661,000 based on the current cohort of service users.