Fairer Charging
What is Fairer Charging?
All Councils have had to follow Government guidance about the way they charge people for services which they receive to help them stay at home.
This is to make sure Councils are charging people fairly and do not leave anyone with a very low income because they have had to pay for a council funded service.
Who is it for?
If you are charged for your Supporting People funded support services you may be able to have help with paying your charge, which would reduce the amount you have to pay or may mean you do not have to pay the charge at all.
If you receive any Housing Benefit, all your support should already be paid for, so you will not need Fairer Charging. If you are receiving Housing Benefit and paying you will need to tell your service provider and they will tell us.
If you do not receive Housing Benefit, Fairer Charging could help with your support costs.
How does it work?
To find out if you can get help with your support costs, someone from Walsall’s Home Support Service will have to visit you to test if you have to pay. They will need to look at what money, savings and costs you have. You will need to give them information to help them work out how much you would have to pay such as pension books, bank statements and housing costs.
The test can take place in your own home with anyone you wish to be with you, such as a friend or relative. You could also choose someone to be at the test instead of you, as long as they have access to the information that will be needed.
Once they have tested you they will let you know how much you will have to pay.
What do I need to do?
If you have to pay for your services contact the Supporting People Service who would put you in touch with the Home Support Service who will help test if you are paying too much.
What happens next?
You will receive a letter telling you if you are going to receive any help with your payments. This weekly amount will be paid direct to your support provider. If you own your own home the support element of your service charge will be paid direct to you.
How will I know if I have to start paying?
You will be written to in April every year and asked to complete a form. This form will ask you if you have had any changes to your income or savings.
You can also ask for your income to be tested at any time during the year if your financial situation changes by contacting the Supporting People Service. It is very important that you let us know if you start to receive Housing benefit.
Will I need a Fairer Charging test of my income?
The Supporting People Service may be able to to tell you about other services which may be free of charge.
Contact us
For further information on the above please contact the Supporting People Service.
Supporting People
Joint Commissioning Unit
NHS Walsall
Social Care and Inclusion - Walsall Council
1st Floor Goscote House
Goscote Lane
Walsall
WS3 1SJ
Tel: 01922 602472
Email: spservice@walsall.gov.uk
This page was last updated on 05 December 2011