Item 08 Appendix 1
West Dunbartonshire Council · 4 March 2026
Back to West Dunbartonshire Council — 4 March 2026 and its agenda
Text extracted from the council's PDF. Layout and reading order may differ from the original.
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1 | P a g e West Dunbartonshire Health and Social Care Partnership Charging Policy for Non-Residential Care Services 2026/2027 Document Title: Charging Policy for Non-Residential Care Services Owner: Julie Slavin Version No. FINAL_24/02/2026 Superseded Version: 2025/2026 Date Effective: 1st April 2026 Review Date: 31st March 2027 Appendix 1
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2 | P a g e CONTENTS 1 Introduction............................................................................................................................4 2 Purpose of Document............................................................................................................4 3 Background............................................................................................................................4 3.1 Aims of the Charging Policy...............................................................................................5 4 Links to other Policy and Guidance.......................................................................................5 4.1 Self-Directed Support (The Social Care (Self-Directed Support) (Scotland) Act 2013).....5 4.2 Carers (Scotland) Act 2016 ...............................................................................................6 4.3 Equality Act 2010...............................................................................................................6 4.4 Human Rights Act 1988.....................................................................................................6 4.5 The Community Care (Personal Care and Nursing Care) (Scotland) Amendment (No. 2) Regulations 2018 (Franks Law).....................................................................................................6 4.6 Public Bodies (Joint Working) (Scotland) Act 2014.................................................................7 5 Non-Residential Care ............................................................................................................7 6 Guiding Principles of Charging Policy....................................................................................7 7 Exemptions from Charging.....................................................................................................8 8 Charging Guidance................................................................................................................8 8.1 Chargeable services..........................................................................................................8 8.2 Non-Chargeable services..................................................................................................9 8.3 Terminal Illness................................................................................................................10 8.3.1 How to get BASRiS forms. .................................................................................................10 8.3.2 Additional Support..............................................................................................................10 9 Non-Means Tested Fixed Charges and Means Tested Charges........................................11 9.1 Non-Means Tested (Fixed) Charges ...............................................................................11 9.2 Means Tested Charges ...................................................................................................11 10 Appeals against a charge................................................................................................12 11 The Financial Assessment Process.................................................................................12 14 Fraud................................................................................................................................14 15 Deprivation of Capital ......................................................................................................14 16 Minimum Income Threshold, Buffer, Charge Tapers, and Maximum Charge .................14
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3 | P a g e 17 Income to be disregarded. ...............................................................................................15 17.1 Principles on income which can be disregarded..............................................................15 17.2 Income which will be disregarded....................................................................................16 18 Disability Related Expenditure.........................................................................................19 19 Financial Hardship...........................................................................................................20 20 Respite/Short Breaks.......................................................................................................20 Appendix 1...................................................................................................................................21 Personal Care Services exempt from charging (service user and/or partner combined)............21 Appendix 2...................................................................................................................................23 Minimum Income Thresholds 2026/2027 ....................................................................................23 Charge Tapers.............................................................................................................................23 Appendix 4...................................................................................................................................23 The maximum weekly means evaluated charge levied by the Council.......................................23 Appendix 5...................................................................................................................................24 Fixed Charges for HSCP services...............................................................................................24 Appendix 6...................................................................................................................................25 Worked Examples to explain how charges are calculated..........................................................25 Example 1....................................................................................................................................25 Example 2....................................................................................................................................25 Example 3....................................................................................................................................25 Appendix 7...................................................................................................................................26 Worked Examples of Non-Residential Social Care Service Charges 2025/2026 .......................26 Appendix 8...................................................................................................................................27 Residential Care..........................................................................................................................27 Appendix 9...................................................................................................................................28 Additional Information and Resources.........................................................................................28 Appendix 10.................................................................................................................................28 Service Definitions.......................................................................................................................28
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4 | P a g e 1 Introduction West Dunbartonshire Health and Social Care Partnership (hereafter referred to as HSCP) in partnership with West Dunbartonshire Council aims to support all our citizens to live at home or in a homely setting independently, safely and for as long as possible. The Council’s Non-Residential Charging Policy sets out the legislative background to charges for non-residential social care services and describes the services for which charges may apply. This charging policy complies with the COSLA (Convention of Scottish Local Authorities) National Strategy and Guidance on Charges Applying to Non-Residential Social Care Services1 and includes local discretion where appropriate and the Social Work (Scotland) Act 1968 Section 871, which sets out the powers local authorities, can use to charge for a range of non-residential services. 2 Purpose of Document This document sets out the Council’s Charging Policy for Non-Residential Social Care Services. These services as delivered by the HSCP. It is a legal requirement that everyone who is permanently admitted by the Council to residential care is required to pay a client contribution towards their care and accommodation. The contribution is applied in line with The National Assistance (Sums for Personal Requirements) (Scotland) Regulations 2024 (SSI 2024 No. 22); and The National Assistance (Assessment of Resources) Amendment (Scotland) Regulations 2024 (SSI 2024 No. 21) Due to the complexities of Residential care charging, this document will concentrate on Non-Residential Charging 3 Background This Charging Policy complies with the COSLA guidance and is applied by the HSCP to determine whether to charge a person for social care support and calculates how much this charge may be. The COSLA guidance describes several best practice steps that should be taken when developing a local charging policy, taking into consideration the full range of legal, financial and policy drivers and these have all been considered when this Charging Policy has been written. This policy will apply equally to all service users regardless of the delivery mechanism(s) deployed, with the principles of Self-Directed Support (The Social Care (Self-Directed Support) (Scotland) Act 2013) at the centre of the assessment process to ensure choice and control of people with eligible support needs.
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5 | P a g e For clarity charges apply whether the service is provided by West Dunbartonshire Council via the HSCP or by an external provider. The SDS options are: 1. Direct payments to service users to enable them to arrange their own care in line with agreed personal outcomes. 2. Indirect service delivery through services commissioned from the private and voluntary sectors by the HSCP on the service user’s behalf. 3. Direct service delivery by HSCP staff; or 4. A mix of the above options for different types of support. All charges will be reviewed annually and reflect any changes to a service users’ income through the Financial Assessment and Income Maximisation process. 3.1 Aims of the Charging Policy The main aims of the charging policy are: a)Provide a consistent, fair, and transparent framework for charging. b)Recover appropriate costs of service provision. c)Maintain essential services; and d)Maximise the income of service users and their careers. 4 Links to other Policy and Guidance The Charging Policy has been developed within the parameters of community care legislation and guidance. The legal basis for charging for non-residential services is the Social Work (Scotland) Act 1968, the Community Care and Health (Scotland) Act 2002 and the Mental Health (Care and Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003. The charging policy links to several other policies, strategies and guidance including: 4.1 Self-Directed Support (The Social Care (Self-Directed Support) (Scotland) Act 2013)1 The principles of Self-Directed Support are at the centre of the assessment process to ensure the choice and control of people with eligible support needs. This policy applies to all service users regardless of the delivery mechanism(s) deployed.
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6 | P a g e 4.2 Carers (Scotland) Act 2016 The Carers (Scotland) Act 2016 is designed to support carers' health and wellbeing and help make caring more sustainable.1 4.3 Equality Act 2010 The Equality Act 2010 places both a general duty and a specific duty on the HSCP. Both of which are relevant to the development of the charging policy. The general duty requires a HSCP to have due regard to the need to: a) Eliminate discrimination, harassment, and victimisation. b) Advance equality of opportunity; and c) Promote good relations between persons who share a relevant protected characteristic and persons who do not share it. The HSCP alongside the council will continue to ensure that the charging policy minimises any disadvantage experienced by any people of a protected characteristic. 4.4 Human Rights Act 1988 The HSCP continues to ensure that it does not act in ways, which are incompatible with the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) under section 6 of the Human Rights Act 1998. Article 8 (right to private and family life, including autonomy in decision making, the right to work and the right to live with dignity) and Article 14 (non- discrimination on a number of grounds, including “any other status”) connect to this Charging Policy in relation to equality across the totality of the range of services being charged for, and issues around Income Maximisation. 4.5 The Community Care (Personal Care and Nursing Care) (Scotland) Amendment (No. 2) Regulations 2018 (Franks Law) Free Personal Care has been available in Scotland for adults aged 65 or over since 20021. The Scottish Government has legislated to ensure that by 1 April 2019 adults of any age, no matter their condition, capital, or income, who are assessed by their local authority as needing this service, are entitled to receive this without charge1. The expansion of free personal care – which was previously only available to those aged over 65 - came into force on 1 April 2019 and is often referred to as ‘Frank’s Law’.
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7 | P a g e 4.6 Public Bodies (Joint Working) (Scotland) Act 2014 Health and Social Care Integration. The Public Bodies (Joint Working) (Scotland) Act 2014 established the legislative framework for the integrated of health and social care. Local authorities and health boards delegate functions to the Integrated Joint Board who are responsible for planning and commissioning of services. 5 Non-Residential Care The legal basis for charging for non-residential services can be found in the Social Work (Scotland) Act 19681, the Community Care and Health (Scotland) Act 20021and the Mental Health (Care and Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003.1With regard to the initial guidance on charging, as set out in the Social Work (Scotland) Act 1968 Section 87i, and with regard to subsequent development of COSLA guidance, councils have the power to charge for a range of non-residential social care services. 6 Guiding Principles of Charging Policy The main principles of the policy are: a) Income Maximisation to the service user: i. All service users will be offered an Income Maximisation service at the point of assessment. This allows service users to be made aware of the range of benefits they may be entitled to; and ii. Prior to taking up services, all service users will be supported and expected to optimise their access to income and entitlements, for example, Independent Living Fund income and personal/injury compensation payments. iii. Service users in receipt of benefits for specific purposes such as mobility component will use these to support their access to services. b) Financial assessments consider the cost of any fixed charges applied. i. Where a service user receives more than one service, a consolidated assessment will be undertaken to ensure they are not charged more than they can afford for the package of care services they receive. c) The impact on the well-being of carers and service users is considered when charges are applied;
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8 | P a g e d) Charges are set at a level whereby the charge rarely covers the full economic cost of the service provided and will never exceed the full cost of service; and e) Free Personal Care will apply to all service users regardless of age, sex, disability, or any other protected characteristic. f) An Equality impact assessment is conducted annually to ensure equality legislation is met. This allows Council members to review the proposed changes and the impact the changes could have on those with protected characteristics. 7 Exemptions from Charging The Charging Policy will not be applied to anyone facing the following circumstances: a) Service users presenting as homeless are exempt from charging for a period of up to 2 years or until the point that they are resettled into their accommodation. b) Services directly attributable to Carers are not chargeable. c) People who are subject to a Compulsion Order1; d) Services for children (under 19 years of age) will continue to be exempt from charging for non-residential services. e) People who are terminally ill (see section 8.3 below). 8 Charging Guidance 8.1 Chargeable services Councils have the power to charge for the following adult non-residential care services. The exceptions to charge are notes above in relation to free personal care and some elements of respite. The definition of Respite can be found here and further information on the WDC Carers Strategy can be found here. Chargeable services includes services provided internally by HSCP or can be a service commissioned to an external provider. The list below is not exhaustive: a) Care at home for non-personal care, including the supply of food (whether in the form of a pre-prepared meal or ingredients for a meal) to, or the obtaining of food for the person, or the preparation of food prior to the point of supply to the person, remains chargeable. b) Housing Support c) Community Support (including social support) d) Building based day opportunities
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9 | P a g e e) Lunch clubs f) Meals at home g) Wardens in sheltered housing h) Digital Community alarm i) Laundry services j) Blue Badge Administration Scheme. Local Authorities administer the Blue Badge Scheme on behalf of the Scottish Government k) Transport l) Key safes and installation Note: If a service user is in hospital, then a credit can be requested by the service user notifying their social worker or point of contact within HSCP. Note: If a service user declines a service on a particular day or does not show up to day centre, then a charge will still be applied. Note: if a service user is brought into a service under emergency care, charging will not begin until week six of using the service. 8.2 Non-Chargeable services The following services are non-chargeable: a) Services provided where the primary reason for service provision is to monitor children under “supervision” or children and families in crisis. b) Services provided to anyone with a compulsory order under the Mental Health (Care and Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003; c) Services provided to adults subject to measures under the Adult Support and Protection (Scotland) Act 2007; d) Charges cannot be made for criminal justice social work services, advice, and information about the availability of services, and assessment of care needs or care management. e) Nursing Care and Personal Care for people of all ages. f) Services directly attributable to Carers are not chargeable, example respite and short breaks; g) Preparation of or the provision of assistance with the preparation of food is not chargeable. h) Services for children (under 19 years of age) will continue to be exempt from charging for non-residential services. i) Clients presenting as homeless are exempt from charging for a period of up to 2 years or until the point that they are resettled into their accommodation. j) Home Care services for 42 days on discharge from hospital. k) Support for people who are subject to Compulsion Orders under the Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 2003; and l) Support for unpaid carers which has been identified and documented within their adult carers support plan.
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10 | P a g e Appendix 1 has a detailed list of Personal Care tasks, which are exempt from charging. 8.3 Terminal Illness The Charging Policy exempts service users who are terminally ill. If a service user is terminally ill, then the HSCP can waive charges for services that are chargeable. This means that for all devolved disability benefits (when Social Security Scotland begin delivery) whether a person is eligible will depend on the clinical judgement of a medical practitioner (having paid regard to Chief Medical Officer guidance) that the service user has a progressive disease that can reasonably be expected to cause the service user's death. If this is the case, charges for social care will be waived. This prognosis should be evidenced through a benefits assessment under special rules in Benefits Assistance under Special Rules in Scotland (BASRiS) form, a letter from the service user’s General Practitioner or hospital consultant confirming the service user has already been awarded a BASRiS. In situations where a service user has a DS1500, which confirms a service user’s diagnosis and treatment plan, this can also be accepted to confirm prognosis. For further information on the definition of a terminal illness please click here. For information on guidance from the chief medical officer on completing a BASRiS form, to comply with the Social Security (Scotland) Act 2018 please click here Chief Medical Officer’s guidance 8.3.1 How to get BASRiS forms. Social Security Scotland has sent BASRiS forms to GP Practices, Hospices, private practices, and NHS boards. These central bodies should distribute the forms to their staff where relevant. A registered doctor or nurse can now download a PDF version of the BASRiS form and submit it to Social Security Scotland by email. Information on how to do this can be found here. 8.3.2 Additional Support a) frequently asked questions b) factsheet for clinicians outlining the changes. c) leaflet for patients and those who support them. d) Clinician's Helpline managed by Social Security Scotland All sources will be available in a single place on this website www.socialsecurity.gov.scot/terminal-illness
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11 | P a g e 9 Non-Means Tested Fixed Charges and Means Tested Charges Charges fall into two categories: a) Non-Means Tested Fixed Charges; and b) Means Tested (or Financially Assessed) Charges. Charges apply from the date on which support services commence and will be backdated to the date the individual first received support. If a service is suspended for a significant period (for example, six weeks), the service user, or their authorised representative, may submit a request for a credit or refund in respect of any amount paid in advance. Such credits or refunds are not automatic and will be issued only where appropriate, following review by the HSCP. Digital Community Alarm charges will continue during service breaks unless the alarm is removed from the property permanently. 9.1 Non-Means Tested (Fixed) Charges All non-means tested charges are charged at a flat rate and are applicable to all service users who receive the services below: Meals – Provided at Home Meals – Lunch Clubs Blue Badges Administration Scheme Transport (Taxi or Bus) Digital Community Alarm Centre Based Day Opportunities (internal and external providers) Key Safe and installation Wardens in Sheltered Housing Any fixed charges will be included as an expense within the financial assessment. Fixed charges are an additional charge on top of the means tested charge. While an active community alarm is in the house then there will be a charge regardless of activity of alarm. 9.2 Means Tested Charges The following are means tested charges, noting that the list below is not exhaustive: a) Care at Home (non-personal care tasks) such as domestic tasks and shopping. b) Social Support. c) Housing and Community Support Supported Living; and d) Practical Support.
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12 | P a g e These charges are financially assessed service user based upon the service user’s ability to pay. The service user will need to disclose all relevant financial details. Non- disclosure of required financial details will result in the maximum charge being applied. 10 Appeals against a charge. If a service user wants to appeal against a charge, the service user can issue an appeal in writing and provide the appeal to their relevant Social Worker or point of contact. The applicable Head of Service will be notified of this appeal and will provide a decision on the service user case. Anyone who remains dissatisfied with the outcome of their appeal will be entitled to pursue their complaint through the HSCP’s normal complaints procedure. The procedure and related information can be found at the following link: http://www.wdhscp.org.uk/complaints/. Those who don’t have access to the internet, can contact their social worker or point of contact who can facilitate with the process. 11 Current Financial Assessment Process West Dunbartonshire Council and HSCP aims to ensure that people in receipt of support and care services are not placed in financial hardship because of the way in which the services are charged. All service users in receipt of a means tested service chargeable community care service will undergo a financial assessment to determine how much the HSCP considers a service user can afford to pay towards the cost of the services they receive. A financial assessment is not required for fixed charges. In accordance with COSLA’s Guidance for Contributions Applying to Non-Residential Social Care Services, the amount and service user will be charge will be set according to their ability to pay. In the first instance, this requires an assessment of the service user’s income and capital. This requires the service user or their representative to provide supporting documentation including bank statements and benefit letters. The supporting documentation will inform the calculation of the service users charge and the service user will receive notification of the charge in writing. Service users or their representative with appropriate legal powers who choose not to provide financial information, and relevant supporting documentation will be charged the full chargeable cost of their care, subject to the current maximum charge. If a full financial assessment has been completed within the last twelve months, information previously collected will be used to calculate the service user’s charge.
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13 | P a g e Charges will be reviewed in April each year to coincide with increases to pensions and benefits. If a service user has received a financial assessment and has been assessed as having the means to pay, the HSCP has the legal right to pursue all charges. This would be via the Council Corporate Debt Recovery procedure. As stated above, charging should be based on ability to pay, and the application of Minimum Income Thresholds, Tapers and other relevant expenditure provides comfort that the outcome of any financial assessment is based on ability to pay. If a service user or their representative fails to pay any charges levied there is a risk that after exhausting debt recovery processes, the service may be suspended or withdrawn. If an incorrect financial assessment has led to a service user receiving a charge which is too much or too little, a new financial assessment will be undertaken, and the correct charge will be applied from date of the revised assessment. If there are changes to a service user’s financial situation, such as an increase or decrease in their benefits it is essential the service user or their representative notify the HSCP and request a reassessment. Any impact on the assessed contribution will be effective from the date of the change. 11.1 New financial assessment process The financial assessment process will be streamlined in 2026/2027. This means staff within the Charging and Payments team will have access to DWP and Social Scotland’s benefit systems to include any benefits a service user receives. The Charging and Payments team will be able to complete the financial assessment, without requesting this information from the service user. The service user will be notified of what the charge will be and a breakdown of how this was calculated. Service users will be given 28 days if there is something they disagree with. Each year a financial assessment is required to be reviewed and updated, requesting a service user to provide benefit and capital information. Information previously collected via DWP and Social Scotland will be used to calculate the service user’s charge. Charges will be reviewed in April each year to coincide with increases to pensions, benefits, and fixed charges. Part of claiming for a benefit with DWP and Social Security Scotland, requires a service user to declare capital. This information is recorded in their systems, which means HSCP will be able to use this information to complete a desktop financial assessment. 12 Carers assessment
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14 | P a g e A carers assessment is required to be completed by a Social Worker alongside a service users’ assessment. A carer can decline an assessment. Once a carers assessment is completed and has been approved at Area Resource Group, it may be determined that an outcome could be a chargeable service, to meet the needs of the carer. The carer would not be charged for their service user using these services if the service were put in place to support the outcome of the carer, with the exception of fixed charges. 13 Direct Debit Invoicing for any non-residential service is done on an annual basis, much like the current council tax invoicing system. Service users can choose how to pay the annual figure via a lump sum or in instalments. Direct Debit is the method to how pay invoices in instalments. Service users will be sent an invoice and asked to follow the following steps to set up the direct debit. There are two options available to sign up to Direct Debit: 1. Complete the online mandate by going to the following website: https://www.west-dunbarton.gov.uk/payment-ofinvoices-ar/. 2. 2. Call our Finance Service Centre agents on 01389 737737 selecting option 3, and the team will be able to help you set this up. 14 Fraud If there is a suspicion of fraud or fraud has been identified then the care manager who undertook the financial assessment should contact the Corporate Fraud Team: https://intranet.west-dunbarton.gov.uk/resources/audit-fraud/fraud. Guidance on how to detect fraud can also be found on this website. 15 Deprivation of Capital If the HSCP has evidence that a service user has not declared a capital asset to avoid or reduce a charge, then it may treat the service user as still possessing that asset when assessing ability to pay. 16 Minimum Income Threshold, Buffer, Charge Tapers, and Maximum Charge
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15 | P a g e Minimum Income Threshold is the minimum level of income a service user is in receipt of before being considered to contribute towards non-residential services. The threshold is based on DWP benefit rates as recommended by COSLA, and the application of a percentage increase in recognition of low income, known as a buffer. This policy applies a buffer of 25%, as recommended by COSLA. Based on benefit awards, there are four Threshold levels detailed in Appendix 2. Individual local authorities determine the amount of disposable income more than the Minimum Income Threshold (including the buffer) which will be considered when determining the level of service user charge. This is achieved by the application of a percentage, known as a taper. West Dunbartonshire Council applies a 75% taper which results in only 75% of disposable income more than the Minimum Income threshold from being considered. Disposable income is the income, which the service user is left over after deducting housing costs, income, and weekly living costs (including any other fixed charges applied for HSCP services). The maximum charge that the service user can afford to pay is thereafter calculated based on 75% of their residual income up to the current maximum of £95.00 per week subject to annual rate uplifts as agreed by the Council. The maximum charge does not include fixed charges. This is achieved by the application of a taper. The level of taper applied is at the Council’s discretion and will be reviewed on an annual basis to ensure that a balance between cost recovery and fair charging is maintained. The income thresholds are found in section Appendix 2 Minimum Income Thresholds 2026/2027 17 Income to be disregarded. 17.1 Principles on income which can be disregarded The HSCP will not include the following areas of income when working out the charge for a service user: a) Mobility Component of Personal Independence Payments, Housing Benefit, Council Tax Reduction and War Pensions.
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16 | P a g e b) The assessable income should be net of housing and council tax costs (where applicable.) This includes rent, mortgage payments, Council Tax, water, and sewerage costs. c) Income derived from benefits paid for or on behalf of a dependent child will be disregarded. d) Kinship Care payments will be disregarded. e) Where a service user or their partner is in receipt of earned income from employment or self-employed, only net earnings are considered, and a maximum earnings disregard of £20 is applied. For example, if someone earns £100 after tax then the council would take £80 into consideration when undertaking a Financial Assessment. f) All service users with capital of £10,000 or less to be disregarded and tariff income applied of £1 for each unit of £500 over £10,000. g) Statutory re-dress scheme for survivors of historical child abuse. h) Child Disability Payment (CDP) and Short-Term Assistance (STA). i) Scottish Infected Blood Scheme (SIBSS) (and equivalent UK schemes e.g. England Infected Blood Support Scheme). j) Victims Payment Regulations 2020. k) Redress Board (Northern Ireland). l) Payment Scheme for Former British Child Migrants. m) Thalidomide payments. n) Future Pathways discretionary fund. o) Windrush Compensation Scheme;1 p) UK Energy Bills Support Scheme. q) Homes for Ukraine Payments; and r) Infected blood compensation. 17.2 Income which will be disregarded The HSCP will disregard the following: Adoption (Scotland) Act 1978 (section 51A) Payments Age-Related payments Act 2004 Payments Backdated Benefits Bereavement Payment Budgeting Loan Capital – various levels of disregard. Carers Allowance (previously Invalid Care Allowance) Carers Premium Certain payments made to trainees Charitable and special funds Child Benefit 1 https://www.gov.uk/apply-windrush-compensation-sch
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17 | P a g e Child related premiums paid to pre-April 2003 Income Support Claimant Child Support Maintenance Payments Child Tax Credits Children's Benefits Christmas bonus Christmas Bonus paid with benefits Cold Weather Payments Concessionary Coal payments Council Tax Benefit / Council Tax Reduction Dependency increases paid with certain benefits £84.30 is disregarded for service users who receive the benefit Attendance Allowance or Pension Age Disability Payment This does not apply to service users who receive night-time services. This is calculated based on the difference between the higher and lower rate of Attendance Allowance). The Attendance Allowance rates for 2026/2027 are: £114.60 - £30.30 = £84.30 £37.90 is disregarded for service users who receive the benefit for DLA care component or Scottish Adult DLA. This does not apply to service users who receive night-time services. This is calculated based on the difference between the higher and middle rate of DLA care component. The DLA care component rates for 2026/26 are £114.60 - £76.70 = £37.90 £36.50 is disregarded for service users who receive the benefit Adult Disability Payment (daily living). This does not apply to service users who receive night- time services. This is calculated based on the difference between the enhanced and standard rate of Adult Disability Payment (daily living). The ADP daily living rates for 2026/27 are £110.40 - £73.90 - £36.50. £37.90 is disregarded for service users who receive Personal Independence Payment (Daily Living Component). This does not apply to service users who receive night-time services. This is calculated based on the difference between the enhanced and standard rate of Personal Independence Payment (Daily Living Component) The PIP care component rates for 2026/27 are £114.60 - £76.70 = £37.90 Direct Payments made by a local authority under Section 12B of the Social Work (Scotland) Act 1968 to Service users in respect of a care service that they or a dependent child have been assessed as requiring. Disability benefits paid to client's partners where the partner is not a service user Disability Living Allowance or Disability Assistance (Mobility component) Disability payment in respect of child Discretionary Housing Payments Far East Prisoner of War payment Gallantry Awards (e.g. GC, VC, similar from abroad) Future Pathways – Discretionary Fund
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18 | P a g e Guarantee Credit Guardian’s Allowance Housing Benefit Income from a “home income plan” annuity. Income from a mortgage protection policy Income frozen abroad. Income Support Independent Living Fund Scotland Payments Industrial Disablement Benefit Industrial Injuries Benefit Industrial Injury Disability Benefit Kinship Care payments Personal Independence Payment (Mobility Component) MOD Pension Non-dependent child payments Non-therapeutic Earnings Personal property, such as household goods, family car. Scottish Welfare Fund – Community Care Grants Scottish Welfare Fund – Crisis Grants Social Fund payments Statutory Redress Scheme and Advance Payment Scheme– Survivors of Historical Child Abuse Student Loan Repayment Sure, Start Maternity Grant Tax Credits the Macfarlane Trust Thalidomide Trust The value of any ex-gratia payments from the Skipton Fund to people infected with Hepatitis C because of NHS treatment with blood or blood products. Therapeutic Earnings Trainees’ training premium and travelling expenses. Victoria Cross/Japanese Prisoner of War Payments Victoria or George Cross payments War Pensioner’s Mobility Supplement War Widow(er)'s supplementary pension War Widow’s Pension (but not War Widows’ Special Payments) War Widows Pension (pre-1973) War widows’ special victims’ awards War Widows/Widowers Pension War Widows’ Special Payments Where the Service User is a student, any grant payment for a public source intended for the childcare costs of a child dependent. Winter Fuel Payments Work expenses paid by employer, and expenses paid to voluntary workers.
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19 | P a g e Child Disability Payment (CDP) and Short-Term Assistance (STA). Scottish Infected Blood Scheme (SIBSS) (and equivalent UK schemes e.g. England Infected Blood Support Scheme). Victims Payment Regulations 2020. Redress Board (Northern Ireland). Payment Scheme for Former British Child Migrants. Earnings from employment or self-employed income disregard of £20.00 per week Windrush Compensation Scheme. UK Energy Bills Support Scheme. Homes for Ukraine Payments; and Infected blood compensation. 18 Disability Related Expenditure Disability Related Expenditure are extra costs incurred by disabled people compared to non-disabled people, to enable them to live as independently as possible. Disability related expenditure is money an individual spends on items and services that helps them manage or cope with a disability or a long-term health condition. This policy makes provision to recognise this type of expenditure as an ‘outgoing’ when we do a financial assessment to find out how much an individual can afford to pay towards their care. The following table shows examples of DRE a service user can submit for consideration. Each case will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Costs and supporting evidence are required to be detailed, e.g. bills, invoices, or statements to support their claim. Examples of DRE. Examples are beyond what a person who does not have a disability would not require. Equipment Certain medication and health-related purchases (including creams, pressure relief pads) Incontinence pads/goods Personal Protective Equipment costs Chargeable aids and adaptations (which are not provided by local equipment services) Services Healthcare (massage/physio/osteopath/acupuncture/chiropractor treatments) Gardening, cleaning, online shopping delivery fees – if you cannot go to the shops because of a disability.
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20 | P a g e Taxis if public transport is inaccessible. Internet connectivity – if needed for wellbeing, monitoring or for disability aids to connect Laundry collection and delivery/service washes. Out of Scope Fixed charges i.e. Digital Community Alarm Application subscriptions used by service users and general public for example TV subscriptions. Substitutions: Ready meals vs ingredients to cook with Specially adapted clothing/shoes. Additional Household Costs Laundry (extra washes due to incontinence or specialist washing powder) Heating – if someone’s condition requires an above average temperature maintained in the home for example. 19 Financial Hardship Where a service user has difficulty in meeting the approved charges due to their financial circumstances, the service user can contact their relevant Social Worker or point of contact. The applicable Head of Service will be notified of this and will provide a decision on the service user case. 20 Respite/Short Breaks The statutory guidance on the Carers (Scotland) Act 2016 includes updated guidance on the requirement to waive charges for carer support and how it interacts with the carers’ rights to support under the Act. Appendix 6 provides examples to help carers, service users, and services with decision-making.
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21 | P a g e Appendix 1 Personal Care Services exempt from charging (service user and/or partner combined) Assistance with laundry associated with medical condition e.g. bed changing. Special preparation of food associated with dietary requirements. Assistance with eating/drinking Getting out of bed Going to bed Assistance with dressing / undressing Assistance with washing and bathing Assistance with personal grooming/dental Hygiene e.g. shaving and nail care. Assistance with continence care Assistance with toileting Assistance with medication supervising/reminding Assistance with mobility Assistance with specialist feeding. Assistance with stoma care Assistance with catheter care Assistance with skin care
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22 | P a g e Administering of medication (including administering of oxygen) Rehabilitation work (under support of professional) Food preparation
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23 | P a g e Appendix 2 Minimum Income Thresholds 2026/2027 Minimum income thresholds mean that service users whose income falls below the charging threshold do not need to pay a charge for their service. These rates are based on COSLA guidance and DWP rates of benefit and are not determined by West Dunbartonshire Council. A buffer is applied to recognise that not all a person’s income should be considered when calculating charges for people on low incomes or who may incur additional living costs due to their impairment or to support frailty. This buffer is currently set at 25% as per COSLA guidance. All thresholds are rounded up. For people below state pension qualifying age, the Income Support Personal Allowance and the Disability Premium are added together with the buffer added to the sum of these two rates. The thresholds for 2026/2027 are in the below box, with a note of the previous year’s rates: 2024/25 2025/26 2026/2027 Single person under pension qualifying age £167 £170 £176 Couple under pension qualifying age £238 £258 £268 Single person over pension qualifying age £252 £284 £298 Couples over pension qualifying age £384 £434 £455 Appendix 3 Charge Tapers The charge tapers will be 75% (excluding personal care) for all service users. Appendix 4 The maximum weekly means evaluated charge levied by the Council. WDHSCP have taken the decision to apply a maximum weekly charge for means evaluated services. This is maximum of £95per week subject to annual rate uplifts as agreed by the Council. Fixed flat rate charges will be over and above this charge, however, the Financial Assessment will take account of any fixed charges as an outgoing expenditure.
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24 | P a g e Appendix 5 Fixed Charges for HSCP services The 2026/2027 rates have been increased by 5% based on the agreed position from Council. (subject to change after Council meeting 4 March 2026) Fixed Charge Frequency 2025/2026 (£) 2026/2027 (£) Day Care charge to other Councils Per day 130.00 136.50 Community Alarms Analogue Weekly 6.80 0 Community Alarm Digital Weekly 0 8.50 Respite Care (18-24 yrs.) Per day 16.50 17.35 Respite Care (25-64 yrs.) Per day 20.40 21.45 Respite Care (65+ yrs.) Per day 31.20 32.80 Building Based Day Centre charge for Meals Per meal 3.70 3.85 Care at Home Meal Per meal 2.90 3.00 Benview Lunch Club Per meal 3.70 3.85 Manse Gardens Lunch Club Per meal 3.70 3.85 Charge for Transport - Round Trip Per trip 4.60 4.85 Charge for Transport - Single Journey Per trip 2.30 2.40 Blue Badge Dependent on a person circumstance 20.00 20.00 Building based Day Centre support (older people) – Internal and external providers Per day/session 5.50 5.80 Building based Day Centre support (Learning Disability) - Internal and external providers Per day/session 5.50 5.80 Sheltered Housing Warden Weekly charge 86.75 91.10 Key safe and installation One off charge N/A 50.00
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25 | P a g e Appendix 6 Worked Examples to explain how charges are calculated Rate of services are calculated on 25/26 rates and examples will be updated after 26/27 rates are confirmed. Example 1 A 90-year-old woman lives in a local authority house with full state pension and attendance allowance, receiving 9.25 hours of personal care and 1.5 hours domestic care per week. None of these services is provided overnight. Her weekly income is £355.90. The total cost of her chargeable services is £37.50 This charge does not include personal care, as personal care is a free service. No evidence of disability related expenditure was provided. The charge applied to this service user will be £35.93 per week. Example 2 Mr and Mrs A (aged 55 and 57) live in rented accommodation. They receive 14 hours of housing support, 3 hours of personal care and 2 hours of social support in the community. They receive Housing Benefit and Adult Disability Payment. Their income is £343.55. The total cost of their chargeable services is £50. This charge does not include personal care, as personal care is a free service. Their financial assessments indicated that they could afford to pay £50.54 per week towards the cost of their care. No evidence of disability related expenditure was provided. In this example, the service users will pay £49.16 per week. Example 3 A 30-year-old man with learning disabilities lives in a local authority house. He receives 5 hours personal care, 6 hours of domestic care, 6 hours social support and 20 hours housing support per week, which costs £650 He receives Adult Disability Payment of £194.60. He also earns £65 a week from a part time job however qualifies for the higher earnings disregard of £20 because he is in receipt of DLA component £114.60. His financial assessment indicated that he could afford to pay £150.20 per week towards the cost of his care. The service user provided evidence of bills, receipts and bank statements relating to paying for services and additional items required to support his disability. A £15 weekly discount was applied in consideration to DRE. In this example, the service user will pay the maximum charge per week.
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26 | P a g e Appendix 7 Worked Examples of Non-Residential Social Care Service Charges 2025/2026 Description Example 1 Example 2 Example 3 Service Cost £268.75 £475 £925 Support Hours Personal Care 9.25 3.00 5.00 Domestic Care 1.50 0.00 6.00 Social Support in the Community Nil 2.00 6.00 Housing Support Nil 14.00 20.00 Total Hours 10.75 19.00 37.00 Chargeable Hours Personal Care Nil Nil Nil Domestic Care 1.50 0.00 6.00 Housing Support Nil 14.00 20.00 Social Support in the Community Nil 2.00 6.00 Total Hours 1.50 16.00 32.00 Cost of Chargeable Hours: £37.50 £50 £800 Income State Pension £241.30 Nil Nil Scottish Benefits Nil £228.95 £309.20 Occupational Pension Nil Nil Nil Pension Credit (over 60) Nil Nil Nil AA/DLA Care Component £114.60 £114.60 £0 Earnings Less Earnings Disregard Nil Nil £65.00 -£20.00 Gross Income £355.90 £343.55 £354.20 Less: Threshold £298 £268 £176 Less: Housing Costs for Water & Sewerage charges £10.00 £10.00 £13.00 Less Disability Related Expenditure £0 £0 £15 = Available Income £47.90 £65.55 £150.20 x Taper (75p in £) £35.93 £49.16 Maximum charge is applied Actual Charge Applied A charge of £35.93 is applied. A charge of £49.16 is applied Maximum charge is applied
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27 | P a g e Appendix 8 Residential Care Two sets of regulations made to the National Assistance Act 1948 came into force on 9 April 2018: The National Assistance (Sums for Personal Requirements) (Scotland) Regulations 2019 (SSI 2019 No. 13); and The National Assistance (Assessment of Resources) Amendment (Scotland) Regulations 2019 (SSI 2019 No. 12). These regulate charges for residential care and provide local authorities with the means to assess service user charges when entering temporary or permanent residential care. The Scottish Government provides detailed Guidance on the regulations and details can be found at the link below: https://www.sehd.scot.nhs.uk/publications/CC2019_02.pdf
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28 | P a g e Appendix 9 Additional Information and Resources Website Name Link NHS Inform https://www.nhsinform https://www.nhsinform.scot/scotlands-service- directory/health-and-wellbeing- services?locpt=55.94509249999999%2c- 4.5646259&q=.scot/ West Dunbartonshire CVS Link Up https://www.linkupwestdunbartonshire.org/ https://www.wdcvs.com/wellbeing/link-up/ Scottish Government Benefits Page https://www.mygov.scot/benefits/ HSCP Services http://www.wdhscp.org.uk/ Appendix 10 Service Definitions The service definitions are on the HSCP website: http://www.wdhscp.org.uk/adults- with-disabilities/service-definitions/ and http://www.wdhscp.org.uk/adults-and-older- people/service-definitions/.