Latest Update:
Decision due date changed from 01/02/2014 to not before 16/06/2014. Reason: Decision has been delayed in order to fully consider the implications of the Social Care Act 2014. This consideration has taken place and a decision is now scheduled for 16 June 2014
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
To seek agreement to
change the policy on Temporary Financial Assistance (TFA) for
Residential Care to state that a resident will (providing they meet
the other criteria) be eligible for TFA once their liquid capital
and income can only support their care costs for three
months
The decision by KCC to offer, on a
discretionary basis, temporary funding for people unable to access
funds (usually because they are tied up in property) is directly
compatible with Kent’s Bold Step to “tackle
disadvantage”. It is also in line
with the corporate objective of supporting people to access the
care and support they need. The current
official policy is that an individual must wait until their liquid
assets have reduced to £3,000 before they become eligible for
TFA. This threshold has not changed for
several years and it is now thought to be too low, particularly for
people whose weekly income is low. For
such people there may not be enough time for KCC to process the
necessary agreement and to take over the contract with the
home.
Financial
Implications: It is not possible to predict accurately
the financial implications of the proposed change to the
policy. Finance believes it will
provide a longer period to arrange for a charge to be placed on the
resident’s property before KCC begins funding. This is a good thing as it ensures our debt is
secure. There are currently less than 100 people receiving
TFA. The numbers are not expected to
increase due to this change, rather
people will be able to start the process of getting help
earlier.
Legal
Implications:
The revision to the policy is entirely in line with KCC’s
duties under the National Assistance Act 1948, in particular
sections 21 and 22.
Equality
Implications:
The proposed change will benefit all service users.
Decision type: Non-key
Decision status: Recommendations Approved
Notice of proposed decision first published: 21/01/2014
Decision due: 16 Jun 2014 by Cabinet Member for Adult Social Services & Public Health
To agree changes to the Temporary Financial Assistance rules
Lead member: Cabinet Member for Adult Social Services & Public Health
Department: Social Care, Health & Wellbeing
Contact: Christine Grosskopf, Policy Manager 01622 696611 Email: chris.grosskopf@kent.gov.uk.
Consultees
The intention to take the decision was mentioned as part of Cllr Gibbens’ oral update to the Social Care and Public Health Cabinet Committee on 5 December 2013. No comments were noted.
The 11 July 2014 Adult Social Care & Health Cabinet Committee considered the proposed policy and recommendation. The committee endorsed the proposed
decision to agree the
new policy. Other consultation planned or undertaken:
Discussed with relevant Case Management and Finance staff.
Financial implications: Chris Grosskopf Policy Manager, Business Strategy Phone: 01622 696611 (7000 6611) Email: chris.grosskopf@kent.gov.uk Andrew Ireland, Families and Social Care Phone: 01622 696083 (7000 6083) Email: andrew.ireland@kent.gov.uk
Legal implications: 14/00015