What happens if you don't pay

Please tell us straight away if you are having difficulty paying for your care and support. We will review your circumstances and check that your charges are correct.

The council is accountable and responsible for its use of public funds. The collection of contributions toward adult social care services forms part of that responsibility.

We have our own internal Debt Recovery Team and follow a set debt recovery policy process. If you do not pay your assessed contributions, our Debt Recovery team will contact you to discuss outstanding invoices and the reasons for non-payment. We’ll look at appropriate options to bring the account up to date.

You will first be sent a letter, which will be followed by a phone call to discuss the debt and next steps if payment is still outstanding.

Non-payment may result in a referral to the council’s Legal Team. The Care Act allows us to begin legal proceedings where all reasonable attempts to recover a debt have been made.

If our Debt Recovery Team suspects misuse of funds or you are trying to avoid paying for your care by spending or giving away your money, they may refer the debt to our Fraud Team for investigation.