Angus Council to introduce means testing for social work services

Angus residents who receive social work services in their home may now be charged for provision they previously got for free, it has been revealed.

Angus Council will bring in a new charging policy from July 11 that will see means testing introduced for people who were previously exempt from paying for housing support services.

The move will affect around 820 people, who are being contacted by letter this week to explain the position fully.

All those involved in the changes will be offered a financial assessment to determine what they can “reasonably afford” and to ensure they are receiving all the state benefits they are entitled to.

Social work and health convener Councillor Alison Andrews said, “We wrote to all service users in May explaining our new charging policy, which is simpler and fairer and takes the place of a policy created 15 years ago.

“We have now had the opportunity to look at individual situations and are notifying those people, currently with protection or exemption from charges, who will see a change in the payments they make for their services.

“In 2003 we changed our charging policy to introduce some protection for service users who already received services. In the same year, the Scottish Government introduced an exemption which entitled people who received housing benefit to also receive housing support services for free.

“This exemption was removed by the government in 2006 but Angus Council chose to continue this protection or exemption until now.”

Some services will not be charged for if the person is assessed as requiring them, including laundry, extra help in the home for four weeks after leaving hospital, and personal care for people aged over 65.

However, the council will introduce charges for other services that were previously free, including help with housework and shopping.

Councillor Andrews said the level of service provided will be based on assessed need, adding that “no one will be asked to pay more than they can reasonably afford.”

Social work officers will contact service users to discuss details of the changes, but anyone with questions or concerns should talk to their care manager or any other member of social work staff.