Some of the borough’s most vulnerable residents could end up having to pay more for help and care in their homes, or at day centres, under a new charging policy by Telford & Wrekin Council.
The council has confirmed it will be making changes to its pricing for non-residential community care for adults, including day care, domestic help and personal home care.
But it insists the new system will be fairer and that most people will pay the same, while some may pay even less.
A letter sent to more than 1,000 service users last week says the changes are “to make sure the council is charging people fairly and in accordance with Government guidance.”
Council bosses say the “vast majority” of charges will either remain the same or will be reduced.
Those who did have to pay more would have the cost “managed carefully” by phasing in any increases.
The changes, set for the beginning of 2009, include an increase in the minimum charge from £2.50 to £3 and scrapping the current system of rounding charges to the nearest 10p.
Standard allowances towards certain disability expenses will be increased by a fixed rate every year to reflect the cost of living.
Carers allowance will also not be classed as an income.
The most significant change is to the cost of day services. Instead of a standard rate of £9.50 a day for using day centre facilities, the actual cost will be used when calculating charges.
This change is planned because, the council says, the current policy is unfair towards people who receive their care at home. They often ended up paying more than day care centre users.
Under the new policy, each service user should be left with a minimum income of Income Support or Pension Credit, plus 25 per cent.
Councillor Jacqui Seymour, cabinet member for adult and consumer care, said the current policy had been in place since 2003 and the changes would make the system fairer.
There are public meetings at the Civic Offices on July 22 (6pm) and July 31 (1.30pm). Call 0800 1956631 or email accfinance@telford.gov.uk.
Home visits can be requested by anyone worried about their situation.
