5.1 The council has decided to charge for all care and support services (excluding those exempt from charging, and services for carers). It will follow the Care and Support (Charging and Assessment of Resources) 2014 regulations and will have regard to the care and support statutory guidance.
5.2 The council will not charge more than the cost that we incur in meeting the assessed needs of the person. The Fairer Contributions Policy will ensure that people are not charged more than it is reasonably practicable for them to pay. The policy is comprehensive, to reduce variation in the way people are assessed and charged, and is clear and transparent, so people know what they will be charged. It also promotes wellbeing, social inclusion, and supports the vision of personalisation, independence, choice and control.
5.3 The council will apply charges from the day on which it begins to meet the needs and incur costs. We issue invoices up to 8 weeks in arrears, so the person receiving a service should set aside funds to pay for their care and support from the date on which it begins.
5.4 However, a person will not be invoiced until the council has:
- · Carried out a financial assessment (except where the adult has declined to have / did not provide the information requested to complete their financial assessment)
- · Advised the person or their representative the amount the person with care and support needs should pay
5.5 This means that if there is a reasonable delay in the financial assessment, or invoicing, a person will still be charged from the day their care starts.
