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Paying for services (Charges)
 There are very complicated rules about what charge can be made for which service, and how much individual people have to pay. This is a very rough guide.
Always get advice about your own situation from a disability adviser who keeps up to date with changes if you are asked to pay for services.
In England, Adult Social Care Services are allowed to ask disabled people to pay towards the cost of home care and support services given though the National Health Service and Community Care Act 1990.
What individuals are asked to pay depends on the money they have coming in.
People who live on low incomes do not have to pay.
There are no charges for services given under Section 117 of the Mental Health Act 1983 (called After Care Services for people who are being discharged home from a Mental Health Hospital).
There are no charges for services from Children’s Services.
How do I know what I will have to pay?
 After a care plan is agreed, you will be offered a visit from the Joint Visiting Team.
This is a person from Adult Social Services who comes with a Department of Works and Pensions advisor.
They will make sure you are getting all the benefits you are entitled to.
They will work out how much you will have to pay for your services.
This is the financial assessment.
 The financial assessment looks at the income of the disabled person, or the household income if this would mean paying less.
There is nothing to pay if paying will make the disabled person’s income less than basic levels of Income Support, plus 25%.
This does not include any income from paid work (i.e. a wage or salary from paid employment). This is called a ‘nil’ charge.
 Disabled people who live on low incomes do not have to pay. Many disabled parents are in this group.
 People with savings of £22,250, or more, have to pay the full cost of their services.
What’s included?
 Services that disabled parents may use “in their own right”, that is to care for themselves even if they don’t have children, ARE included. This might be for personal care, meals, day care.
 There may be different charges for different services.
For example, there is no charge for day care services if someone is already charged for home care services.
Meal preparation in your own home is part of home care/support charges but Meals-on-Wheels has it own separate charge.
 Services that disabled parents may use to support their parenting role, that is to care for their children, are free and ARE NOT included in charging.
This might be for a child’s personal care, preparing their meals, getting them to school.
Get advice from a disability information service if you are asked to pay.
Check you are getting all the benefits you are entitled to.
The social worker should tell you where you can get independent benefits and income advice.
Disability Rights Norfolk is run by disabled people who can help you make sure the financial assessment has been done properly.
Website www.ncodp.org.uk/drn
phone 01508491570
Other links:
Information on home support and home care charges from Norfolk Social Services website
The rules on charging are given in Guidance to Social Services on Fairer Charges for Home Care Services (2003) which is on our website or Department of Health website
Examples
 Gloria has a mobility impairment. She has one hour of support on five days a week to help her wash and dress herself.
She has another one hour a day on five days to help her wash and dress her child.
This is ten hours a week of service.
Gloria is asked to pay for five hours of service if she has enough income.
She is not asked to pay for the other five hours because this is to support what she has to do as a parent.
 James has a visual impairment. He does not use support for himself.
He uses half an hour each day to support him to take his child to playgroup.
This is two and a half hours a week of service.
James is not asked to pay for this because it is all to support what he has to do as a parent.
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