FAQs
- 28 people would be impacted by the proposal to change the maximum weekly limit.
- 1,239 people would be impacted by the reduction of the weekly ‘standard utilities allowance’ from £15 to £5.
- 1,304 people would be impacted by the reduction from £15 to £0 (removing the ‘standard utilities allowance’).
- some unpaid carers (and the people they care for) would benefit if we stop charging for respite and carer relief.
Who will be impacted by these proposals?
Our data indicates that:
However, it is important to note that these figures are taken from a point in time, and the number of people in receipt of adult social care constantly changes.
How will these changes impact on the services I receive?
The services that you receive will not change. The amount you are charged towards the cost of your care may change in early 2021 (following the outcome of this consultation).
When will any changes come into effect?
If one of these proposals are agreed, changes will come into effect in early 2021.
Before this date and before any changes are made, you will be informed about the outcome of this consultation and what proposal was agreed and why.
When will I know how much, if anything, I will have to pay towards the cost of my care?
Every person using community-based adult social care services will be contacted in advance of any changes being made.
It is important to remember the amount you are charged will depend on which proposal is agreed and on your individual circumstances.
How can I find out how these options will affect my personal circumstances?
You can speak with the financial assessment team specifically about the consultation 0207 364 2038 between the hours of 9am and 12pm Monday to Friday.
The financial assessment team will be able to explain the financial assessment process in more detail. However, it is important to say they are unlikely to be able to calculate how your charge may or may not change for each of the three proposals. This is because a charge is very much dependent on each person’s individual circumstances.
I currently live in a care home, how will these changes affect me?
The proposals set out in this consultation will only affect people receiving a package of support in the community. If you live in a care home or a nursing home, these changes will not affect you. However, we welcome your thoughts.
What is respite and who receives it? What difference will these proposals make to it?
Respite – either in a respite centre or at home – provides temporary care to someone and is mainly put in place to give a break (‘respite’ from caring) to an unpaid carer. It can include receiving support at a care centre, or at home.
All three options presented above will provide this form of care free of charge if the service has been identified following a Carer Needs Assessment.
If you would like to request a carers assessment you can call adult social care at the council on 0207 364 5005 (9am – 5pm Monday to Friday) or contact the Carer Centre Tower Hamlets on 020 7790 1765.
How long does the consultation last and who will make the final decision?
This consultation will run from 9 June 2020 to 7 September 2020.
The council will review all responses before considering the proposals set out.
The final decision will be shared on Let’s talk Tower Hamlets – the council’s online consultation and engagement platform.
How were the proposed options agreed?
The proposal to review how we charge for community-based adult social care services was part of our annual budget setting process.
Option 1 was developed in May 2020 in light of growing financial pressures on adult social care.
Option 2 was included in the council’s budget pack and was agreed by Cabinet as part of a Financial Recovery Plan.
Option 3 has been developed as an alternative which delivers a similar saving and in order to provide more choice in the consultation.
Do the proposals mean people will have to spend all their savings to pay for care?
No. The proposals do not change our approach to people’s savings.
Savings under a certain amount cannot be included in financial assessments, as set out in the 2014 Charging and Assessment of Resources Regulations. Savings above a certain amount are considered, and in this situation, we would expect people to use some of their savings towards the cost of their care.
More information is in this leaflet on charging.
Do the proposals mean people will have to sell their homes to pay for care?
No. The proposals do not change our approach to the value of people’s homes.
The value of a person’s home cannot be included in the financial assessment.
More information is in this leaflet on charging.
How do the options consider Disability Related Expenditure?
The options do not change our approach to Disability Related Expenditure.
We disregard Disability Related Expenditure in financial assessments. More information is in this leaflet.