Increased charges for adult social care services

Rochdale Borough Council is proposing increases to the charges it makes for adult social care services.

In Rochdale around 60% of people pay a contribution towards the cost of their care.

These proposed changes will increase the charges paid by some people for the adult social care services they receive. However, the council cannot charge for adult social care services if a person has an income of below income support level plus 25%.

The financial contribution from the council for these social care services is means tested based on a full financial assessment.

The council has recently reviewed its policy and is proposing the following changes:

• The maximum charge will be the actual cost of the care and support provided
• Currently the costs to people who can afford to pay do not reflect the full cost of the service. In the future it is proposed that this full cost will be charged. People will still only pay what they can afford.
• Currently the council assumes everyone has at least £12 of additional costs per week due to their disability and this is not taken into account when any charge is calculated. For example, someone with limited mobility may face higher heating costs because they need to maintain their body temperature or higher laundry costs. In future the council will not make this universal assumption and will instead treat everyone individually.
• Firmer action will be taken if people do not disclose their financial information.
• An increase will occur on chasing debts and interest will be charged on debts where payments have been deferred.
• Introduction of a charge for Deputyship Services, which is where the council takes responsibility for the management of a persons finances
• There will be a new charge for the maintenance and servicing of equipment; and for the council taking control of a persons financial affairs. 

It is also proposed to withdraw the current Supporting People charging policy and incorporate this into the revised Fairer Contributions Policy. The existing Fairer Charging Policy will also be phased out as service users move to personal budgets.