Council looks at raising care costs

More than 1,000 adults could see the cost of care rise as the council looks at ways of boosting its income.

Lincolnshire County Council is consulting on a raft of proposals which could bring in more than £500,000 a year by charging people more for the adult social care support they receive.
A consultation document has been produced outlining the proposed changes and a series of events will be held across the county this month to talk to those affected, their families and carers.
Representatives of the county council will be in Spalding, at Springfields Events and Conference Centre, from 10.30am to noon, on Thursday, July 16.
The changes include starting to charge those who can afford to pay, the full 100 per cent of the cost of the care they receive, compared to the 90 per cent they are currently charged.
More than 4,000 users would be exempt from the new charges, but a total of 1,026 would have to pay more, resulting in an extra £476,000 of income for the council.
The extra cost for around 700 of those affected would be less than £10, while 276 would pay between £10 and £25 more a week and 41 people face an increase of more than £25 a week.
The council is also considering removing the maximum weekly care cost of £250, which could affect 33 people and bring in an extra £158,000.
Other proposals include introducing a 72-hour notice period for those wishing to cancel a care appointment, a new three-tier banding system for those claiming Disability Related Expenses and an arrangement fee to cover the cost of arranging non-residential services for those who fund their own care packages.
A council spokesman said: “The council has been looking at the Non-Residential Adults Contributions Policy to see if changes need to be made to bring it up to date and make it easier to understand.
“This means considering changes to make contributions and expenses fairer, while exploring opportunities to generate income to make adult care services sustainable for the future population, under growing budget pressures.
“However you are affected, whether you currently receive care and support, care for someone else or will in the future, your views will be important in shaping the future policy.”
People can have a say at the public event or online in the adult care section at www.lincolnshire.gov.uk

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