Issue details

Temporary Financial Assistance for Residential Care

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

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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

Decisions