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Today, 28th June 2006, we received a variety of fact sheets from Hampshire County Council regarding their charging policies. Please click here to see Hampshire County Council's advice sheets

Users on Direct Payments Scheme A in Hampshire

So What Do We Think Happens Next?

All current users of chargeable services and users of direct payments option A will be sent a letter telling them what is decided, and what will happen next.
There will be a helpline to deal with questions etc to help prevent calls going to area offices. Area staff will be notified of the number so that they can pass calls on.

The change from 75% to 95% of disposable income will be implemented at the beginning of July. Users will be informed of any change to their weekly charge by letter. Any change will be calculated on their current weekly charge based on the existing charging policy.

Users of direct payments option A will have a financial assessment using the new assessment rules and the changeover will be completed by the beginning of October.

Financial re-assessments for existing users of chargeable care at home services will be carried out using the new rules for dealing with savings etc. New charges for those people affected will come into effect at the beginning of January 2007.

New service users will have 'two' assessments until 1 January, one using the existing rules and one using the changed rules. The charge based on the assessment using the existing policy will be used until 1 January.

Information for clients about the new charging policy will be produced shortly, and will be sent to area offices and the FAB team as soon as it is ready.

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We are told that:

There will be no change to the weekly charge until you have heard from the FAB (Financial Assessments and Benefits) team (see timetable above).

Social services staff will reassure you that you’re the financial assessment will look carefully at your individual circumstances.

Care managers will need to ensure that all clients, including users of direct payments option A, have had a review of their needs within the past year, that their eligibility criteria are correctly recorded on Swift, and that care plan is up to date. Hampshire Social Services memo 11/05/06

Please find below various links to information and advice to ensure you get charged as little as possible when Hampshire County Council reassess you:

Advice Sheet - keeping records

Word document (3 pages, 26kb)

Fairer Charging Guidance

Word document (5 pages, 35kb)

Hampshire County Council Charging Policy - May 2006

Word document (1 page, 20kb)

Payment Rates

Word document (2 pages, 62kb)

Advice Sheet - charging latest

Word document (2 pages, 98kb)

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