Self-funded care costs to triple in North East Lincolnshire

Vulnerable people who pay for their own care from North East Lincolnshire Council could be about to see their bills more than triple.

The authority’s Health and Adult Social Care scrutiny panel agreed to consult on a series of changes to their charging policy – including upping self-funded care from £50 to £170 per year.

A full review has not been carried out since April 2015, and the authority says the rises will meet its own costs.

Currently, a person must have a minimum of £23,250 in savings before they are charged.

Chairman Councillor Harry Hudson said: “The point is that they already have savings and when it falls below that then they would be back to where they were, back to normal, so it’s only targeting the people that have the resources to pay.

“It sounds pretty extreme but once they can’t afford to pay they won’t.”

Caps could also be placed at £15 on gardening and £50 on social activity costs, with window cleaning capped at once a month – though special circumstances may still apply.

The changes could also see a 17.6% rise in respite care costs over the next two or three years – with councillors voting to remove a five-year option from the consultation.

The increase will see those in the top-tier of £115 per week because they have savings between £14,250 and £23,249 pay an extra £20.24 – a total of £135.24 a week.

Councillor Tom Furneaux, who proposed removing the five-year time-frame, said: “The 17.6% seems high, but the actual cost is relatively low.

“It’s such a small increase and spreading it out over five years seems extreme.”

Options to charge carers for the support they receive and increase charges for second carers were rejected, while work on respite, day care and transport costs is to be further explored.

The recommendations will now go out to cabinet in November before being put out for consultation. with residents.

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