Will I be charged for services?

Community care assessments and carers' assessments are free. However, social services can charge for some community care services and they have to charge for long-term residential care. 

As a result, the person you care for is likely to be asked questions about their money e.g. wages, pensions, savings or benefits. They do not have to give this information, but social services may assume they can pay the full cost if they don't.

Carers can be charged for services for themselves and may be asked questions about their finances.

Charging varies, but all social services must make sure:

• The charges are 'reasonable';
• They only charge what people can afford;
• No one is caused hardship, or denied a service they need because they can not pay;
• They consider the person's extra costs as a result of disability or ill health;
• They reduce or drop a charge that would cause hardship;
• Disability Living Allowance mobility component is not taken into account.

Social services can make a 'reasonable charge' for services to disabled children and their families. The following must be provided free:

• Advice, guidance and counselling services
• Services to families on Income Support or Job Seekers Allowance.