Fairer charging
Introduction
Welcome to the Fairer Charging web page, on this page we will explain how we decide how much, if anything, you as a customer may be asked to contribute towards the cost of the services we provide to you to help you live at home.
Paying for non-residential service
We provide a wide range of community care services, such as home care, for which we make a charge. The amount you will be asked to contribute towards the cost of your care will depend on your financial circumstances and the amount of service you receive.
Financial Assessment
Following your assessment by a social worker or a community care assessor, when you and the assessor have agreed how best to meet your needs, a member of the Benefits Maximisation Service will book an appointment to visit you at home. They will talk to you about your finances and work out what you will have to contribute towards the cost of your care. They can also provide you with a full welfare benefits check to make sure that you are receiving all the benefits that you are entitled to. When the assessment is complete, we will write to you to confirm how much you will have to contribute.
You may choose not to have a financial assessment, if you do not have a financial assessment you will be asked to pay the maximum charge for the service. It is important to remember that the information collected is confidential and is only used for the purpose of calculating your contribution. The financial assessment may help you claim other money that you are entitled to.
How we calculate your charge.
The amount that we will ask you to contribute is based on your income, and a formula is used to make sure that you can afford your contribution. If your income is below a certain limit, we will not ask you to pay toward the cost of your care.
We currently charge up to £9.18 per hour but whatever services you receive you we will not ask you to pay more than £210.00 per week.
How do I pay?
There are two ways to pay. You can choose to pay by standing order through your bank, or you can pay at the post office using cash or a cheque.
If you would like to pay by cash or cheque, we will give you a payment card. This payment card contains your unique account number. To make a payment you simply take the card to your local post office and give it in with your payment and your account will be credited with this amount.
What should I do if I cannot pay?
If your circumstances change and you become unable to pay towards the cost of your care you then if you contact the Income and Assessment Team on 0151 233 3800, a member of the team will then arrange for a colleague to visit you to undertake a financial reassessment.
What will happen if I refuse to pay?
If you are unwilling to pay for your services, we will discuss this with you however, persistent non-payment will result in us taking action to recover the debt. If you think your charges are unfair you can appeal against them details of how to do this are set out below.
Review of Charges
We will review your charges each year or if there are any changes to the benefits rate. You can also request a review of your charges at any time by contacting Careline.
Appeals Procedure
You can appeal against any aspect of the Charging Policy or the amount we have asked you to contribute. You should make your appeal to the Executive Director of the Community Services Portfolio through the Liverpool City Councils Complaints Procedure. You can obtain a copy of the Appeals Procedure by writing to:
Income and Assessment Team
Municipal Buildings
Dale Street,
Liverpool L69 2DQ
By Telephone: 0151 233 3051
Or by email at fairercharging@liverpool.gov.uk
Fairer Charging Guidance
Liverpool City Council's charging framework has been designed to comply with the Government's Fairer Charging guidance. Its aim is to provide a reasonable and fair charging framework for all service users. The income generated from the charges helps to maintain and develop services for vulnerable people.
A copy of the Fairer Charging Guidance can be downloaded by following this link. ![(PDF [86.4Kb] opens in new window)](/images/PDF.gif)
A more flexible approach
When the Social Worker or Community Care Assessor assesses you, they may offer you the option to have a direct payment.
Instead of social services providing or arranging services you can choose to receive a Direct Payment so that you or your carer /nominee can arrange your care. Direct Payments enable people to take more control over the type of support they receive. People who receive Direct Payments can choose to arrange their own care needs, for example employing their own care staff.
If you would like more information about direct payments visit the direct payments webpage or contact Careline on 233 3800, or email careline@liverpool.gov.uk