Living

Frequently Asked Questions

1. By what authority do we charge for care?

Community Care

Guidance is given from the Welsh Assembly Government on fairer charging policies that are reasonable, fair and consistent. There is also the implementation of the Fairer Charging Policy by Vale of Glamorgan Council. Please, refer to the Charging Policy.

Respite/residential/nursing

There is a national set of regulations and guidelines which set out the rules upon which charges are calculated. Please refer to Charging for Residential Accommodation Guide (CRAG), a copy of which can be found on the Welsh Assembly web site at www.wales.gov.uk - social care/list of publications/guidance

2. What happens if I choose not to disclose my finances?

We will have to assume that you do not want any help with charges and you will therefore be expected to pay for all of the service you receive. In these circumstances we will, of course, not be able to provide comprehensive advice on welfare benefits.

3. If I have to pay towards the service I receive, will the actual cost of providing that service be passed on to me?

Clients with savings of more than £22,000 are expected to pay the full cost of the services provided, subject to certain limits. The limits are set according to the standard residential care charge. This savings limit will increase in line with government guidelines for residential care. Otherwise a Financial Assessment will be undertaken to calculate your weekly assessed charge.

4. How much will I have to pay for my care?

Community Care

Each individual’s financial circumstances are taken into account and how much you will pay depends on:

Your disposable income (the money you have left each week after an allowance for day to day livings costs).
The cost of the services you receive (worked out at a weekly rate).

You will pay whichever of the above is the lower figure.

Respite/residential/nursing

If you are moving into a care home with help from community care, you will be expected to pay towards the fees. The amount you pay will depend on your financial circumstances. You will be expected to pay something out of your regular income. The rest will depend on your savings and assets.

Please contact the Financial Assessment Officers if further clarification is needed.

5. How is my disposable income worked out for community services?

See a copy of the Charging Policy or contact the Financial Assessment Officers for further clarification.

6. How is the Financial Assessment carried out for couples?

Community care

In the case of couples, the financial situation of both individuals will be taken into account when carrying out a Financial Assessment. The assessed charge will be halved and the resulting figure charged to the client. This is stated in the Fairer Charging Policy. Also this will enable the Financial Assessment Officers to undertake a full welfare benefits check.

Respite/residential/nursing

In this case the financial situation of the client going into respite/residential/nursing care will need to be provided. The spouse/partner staying at home does not need to provide their financial information, but the Financial Assessment Officers will be unable to make sure the spouse/partner is financially cared for in the community.

7. When will I know how much I will have to pay?

We will write to you with details of your weekly charge and explain how your charge is worked out.

8. What will happen if my financial circumstances change?

If there is a change in your circumstances, for example, if you start getting a new benefit, please let us know straight away to enable us to carry out another Financial Assessment and then we will review your charge. Contact the Financial Assessment Officers who will arrange a visit.

9. How do I pay for my care?

Community Care

An invoice will be sent out every 4 weeks and can be paid at the Civic Offices or any of the Council’s payment centres situated throughout the Vale. Also you can phone using a debit card, pay by post or set up a standing order.

Respite/residential/nursing

This will be paid directly to the home, unless staying in a Local Authority home, then the same procedure will apply as Community Care.

10. Who pays the agency for my Community Care bill?

The Local Authority pays the agency directly and then we will invoice you every 4 weeks for your contribution. If self funding, then the agency could invoice you directly.

11. If I want to reduce my Community Care Package, how do I do it?

Please contact either your allocated Social Worker or the Contact and Information Centre, who will appoint someone to speak to you.

12. If you are taking my benefits into account, how can I make sure that I am receiving the full benefits I am entitled to?

When the Financial Assessment Officers carry out a Financial Assessment, they will check to make sure you are getting your full entitlement to benefits. If you are not, they will help you to make a claim for the benefits you are entitled to. Contact the Financial Assessment Officers if you wish to have further benefits advice.

13. What if I want to give my savings away or transfer property to someone else?

Please contact the Financial Assessment Officers.

14. What can I do if I am not happy with the Community Care Charge?

If you feel that not all your financial circumstances have been taken into account when your charge was worked out and you feel this could cause you hardship, then you can appeal. See Procedure for Appeals document

15. What if I think the Financial Assessment has been calculated incorrectly?

If you think that we have made a mistake with working out what you should pay towards your Community Care Bill or Residetial/nursing placement, then please contact the Financial Assessment Officers who will then check their calculations.

16. Why do I have to pay for nursing care?

Unless the Local Health Board has assessed you as continuing care, then the authority can charge under the National Assistance Act 1948, for the residential and social care aspect. A contribution from the Local Health Board will be made for the nursing element.

17. What happens if I own my own home and I am going into a residential/nursing home permanently?

If you own your home, we may take its value into account from the time you become a permanent resident. This depends on individual circumstances. For example, if your partner or an elderly or severely disabled relative is still living there, we will ignore the value of the home whilst they live there.

However, if the value of your property has been taken into account within your Financial Assessment, the value may be disregarded up to a period of 12 weeks. In most cases, you will only have a limited income and you will be required to pay an interim charge. This is because your property is likely to be worth more than £22,000 and you would be liable to pay for the full cost of your care.

At this stage, the Council will pay the difference between what you are able to pay and the full cost until the property is sold. You will be sent regular statements of account, showing a balance outstanding. As this is effectively a loan from the Council, a legal charge will be placed on the property. You will be notified when this happens.

18. What happens with my Community Care charge, if I go into hospital or respite care?

Temporary changes will be taken into account when calculating your bill.

19. What happens with my residential care charge if I go into hospital?

Whilst the bed is retained in the home, you will be required to pay your assessed charge to the home.

20. Who are the Financial Assessment Officers and why have they made an appointment to visit me?

The Financial Assessment Officers have received a referral from your Social Worker to carry out a Financial Assessment, as you are going to receive a community care service. The officers will provide a free home visit to assist in completing a financial form, which will help them to calculate your weekly assessed charge for the community care service you will receive and to carry out a full welfare benefits check. They will be carrying identification, so please ask to see it before letting them into your home.

Other useful contacts

Financial Assessment Officers/Benefits Advisors:

01446 704890 (an answer phone is available) or 704747 or 704706

Contact and Information Centre:

01446 731 100,

Email: CIC@valeofglamorgan.gov.uk

There are a number of organisations that are there to help people if you would like independent advice. These are:

Age Concern

A registered charity who are concerned with the needs and aspirations of older people. They can offer advice, information and advocacy services.

Age Concern Cardiff & the Vale of Glamorgan

Unit 1, Commercial Street,

Llantwit Major,

Vale of Glamorgan

CF61 1RB

Tel: 01446 795632

Fax: 01446 795631

Email: vale.office@age-concern-cardiff.org.uk

Web: www.accymru.org.uk

Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB)

They provide independent advice on a range of subjects, inc. Debt, benefits, housing and legal matters.

Tel: 0845 120 3756

Web: www.adviceguide.org.uk

Barry Citizens Advice Bureau

119 Broad Street

Barry

Vale of Glamorgan

CF62 7TZ

Tel: 01446 733924 for booking appointments

Cowbridge Citizens Advice Bureau

Rear of 70 Eastgate

Cowbridge

Vale of Glamorgan

CF71 7AA

Penarth Citizens Advice Bureau

Stanwell Road

Penarth

Vale of Glamorgan

CF64 2ZA

Care Standards Inspectorate for Wales

The government body that makes sure that care homes meet the regulations and standards expected of them. They have the responsibility to investigate formal complaints when, if it is felt, these standards are not being met.

Tel: 01443 848527

Web: www.csiwreport.wales.gov.uk