As you are probably aware a charging policy for Day Services is about to be introduced this April. This is in response to Government guidelines for home care and non-residential services.
Mencap is obviously against these charges which are for services that are essential and are not 'extras' or luxuries by any stretch of the imagination! It is wrong that disabled people should pay for taking part in activities which non-disabled take for granted. Every service user will need to be assessed before a charge can be made and it is imperative that ALL disability related expenditure is taken into account. Make sure that you and the person involved are given the full comprehensive benefit advice when being seen by the local authority. The council has a responsibility to maximise the income of users.
Remember when the crunch comes - if you think you are being asked to pay too much : Next step is to contact the council. Tell them to fully
set out the charge and how they calculated it. Write and ask for a review of
the charge and explain why it's too high.
If this doesn't work - make a formal complaint.
Don't think once a charge is made that you can't appeal all the way, you can
and others have. People up and down the country have taken councils to court
and won. Thus leading to a reduction in their charges.
Remember local authorities HATE BAD PUBLICITY.
George Smith
Chairman
This article first appeared in the March 2003 issue of Middlesbrough Mencap
Newsletter
Please note that the article refers only to the Borough
of Middlesbrough although much of it is relevant throughout England.
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