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Contact Officer Newsletter January 2005Customer Services UpdateI would like to take this opportunity to inform you of the changes that have occurred in Customer Services. A new manager, Paul Martin, has been appointed. Paul has worked at the Funds for the past 5 years, and we would like to welcome him as Customer Services Manager. Paul took over the reins as manager in November 2004. The rest of the team have now reverted back to their various roles, and can be contacted as follows 0115 945
NewslettersI have been asked to remind all Contact Officers to ensure that the Newsletter is forwarded to all teams that could have Users that receive ILF funding. If you are unable to forward the Newsletter could you ensure that all teams are made aware of where they can access the Newsletter on the Funds’ website? ApplicationsWhen a LA representative submits an application form, they are signing to say they agree that the applicant needs further support. We have had some cases recently where a LA has submitted the application, but when we put in our award they say that the applicant does not need it. They say they have only put in the application because the client insists, and the ILF are then asked to cancel the award. As a SW/CM, if you do not think an applicant needs further support you should not sign and submit the application form, thus avoiding unnecessary work for all involved. SSD1000The SSD1000 is the form used by the LA to demonstrate to the Fund the level and cost of care provided, to a service user by the LA Social Services Department (SSD). It is essential that the LAs provision, cost and date the service commenced is included in the form. The completed SSD1000 should be handed to the Funds’ Assessor at a visit. The form is then sent to the Nottingham office to enable the caseworker to establish the length, level, and cost of the LAs’ commitment. It would be extremely helpful for both the LA and the Funds if the LA could keep a copy of the SSD 1000 on their file. This would enable the ILF assessor and the SW/CM to verify the previous LA commitment when the Fund user is selected for revisit. ILF ReviewsReview Visits Advance Review Lists It was also hoped that early notification of potential visits would enable LA Social Services Departments to reactivate dormant cases ensuring that the Fund user has an allocated SW/CM. Early notification also gives the SW/CM time to obtain the correct costing of a package from their finance department, thus avoiding potential delays. Numerous Contact Officers have informed me that the Advance Review lists are distributed to their teams monthly and that they are doing their best to influence their colleagues to ensure that cases are allocated to a SW/CM before the ILF review visit takes place. However, the Funds’ review teams have reported that in a significant number of cases the LA is not able to send a SW/CM to the review meeting. If an LA representative is unable to attend it can cause significant difficulties, when gathering the appropriate information, to accurately reassess the Fund users’ care needs, and ultimately ensure that the individual receives the right level of financial support. This sometimes results in the Fund having to threaten suspension of payments, and eventually cancel cases. Established LA Provision What is classed, by the Funds, as established commitment by the Local Authority? This is a question we have been asked to clarify. If a LA has been inputting provision, or Direct Payments (usually for more than three months) prior to an application being received, the Funds will consider this care as the LA’s established commitment. Therefore, the Fund will not take over any of this provision. This also applies to an existing case where the LA increases, but does not apply to the Fund for assistance with this increase within 3 months. The LA cannot seek to reduce an established commitment by making an application to the Funds. However, if the same individual's needs have changed, and have increased, the Funds could consider the additional provision. The LA must not reduce its original commitment level. If it were to do so once the Funds had become involved, the Funds will consider withdrawing from the arrangement. Policy UpdatesEducational Maintenance Allowance (EMA) From September 2004 the Government introduced the EMA to 16 –19 year olds in education for more than twelve hours per week. For Income Support, and Pension Credit assessment purposes the EMA is fully disregarded as an income, therefore, the Funds will fully disregard all EMA payments in our assessment. Summary of Carer’s Allowance This is a benefit paid directly to a carer (including a partner) who provides at least 35 hours care per week to a severely disabled person. The Funds will fully disregard Carer’s Allowance as an income when completing a financial assessment. In addition the Carer’s Premium will also be disregarded in the Fund’s assessment of income. The Funds will need to confirm whether Carer’s Allowance is in payment in respect of a Fund User, as the 35 hours care provision will need to be included in the care assessment, but we do not need to know who provides the care. The Funds will only consider contributing towards care over and above the 35 hours provided by the person receiving Carer’s Allowance. Summary of Notice Periods on Awards Where a client ceases to be eligible for an award from the Funds, payments should be stopped from the date the client became ineligible. No notice period can be allowed. Recording of National Insurance Numbers (NINO) This policy formally documents current practice and procedure. The Conditions of Grant require the Funds to hold the name, address and NINO of personal assistants. Therefore a NINO must be supplied in every case, except where care is provided by an agency. Failure to supply the required information will lead to suspension. The Funds will only grant funding for care provided that the personal assistant meets the NINO eligibility. Stakeholder Pensions This is a new policy statement. Forthcoming Attraction
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