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Contact Officer Newsletter July 2005IntroductionRobyn Lewis Customer ServicesAs there have only been a couple of policy updates since the last Newsletter in April, we have decided to use this newsletter to reiterate some of the Funds’ current policies and practices. We have chosen to write articles on the most frequently asked questions we receive from LA staff, and the most common concerns our Operations staff have in their dealings with LA staff. Contact Officer Questionnaires I would like to thank all the Contact Officers who have answered and returned the pooled budget questionnaires. Newsletter Renamed The Contact Officer Newsletter has been renamed to the Local Authority Newsletter. We have done this for the following reasons:-
New/Updated PoliciesLoan Interest Rate IncreaseChris Priddle Customer Services The Funds allow for the interest being paid on specific loans, which have been taken out to improve, adapt or extend the home of a disabled person. To be considered, the loan must be a formal agreement eg mortgage, bank loans, credit agreement or hire purchase. The Funds will only include interest charges in line with Income Support regulations, at the Standard Interest Rate (SIR). The SIR has increased to 5.88% (previously 5.34%) Where an interest rate of 5.01% or over is charged, the SIR of 5.88% will be applied. Summary of Notice Periods on Awards Robyn Lewis Customer Services Where a client ceases to be eligible for the Fund, their payments should be stopped on the date they became ineligible. No notice period can be given, as such payments would fall outside the terms of the Funds’ deeds. This includes users who are appealing against a reduction in their DLA award. "The Funds have been advised that where DLA higher rate care component reduces or is stopped, the terms of the Funds’ Trust Deed do not permit awards to continue pending the outcome of an appeal. The Professionals’ User Guide will be updated accordingly, relevant paragraphs are 14.5.2.1 and 14.5.2.2 School Meals Allowance Chris Priddle - Customer Services  Where it is necessary to complete an assessment of an applicant’s available income, when an applicant does not receive Income Support, the Funds allow an amount for the cost of school meals. This allowance is included for each dependent child between the ages of 5 and 18 provided they are in fulltime education, and the Fund user is not in receipt of Income Support. The rate for 2005-6 has been fixed at £6.90 and will be used with immediate effect. Applicants receiving DLA under Special Rules Jacky Fisher - Social Work Director The ILF used to contact the doctors of applicants who were awarded their DLA under Special Rules, to check whether it was likely that the applicant would be able to live in the community for 6 months. (To comply with the terms of our Trust Deed) It has now been decided that we will no longer do this, as we nearly always receive a positive response from the doctor. These applicants will be dealt with in the normal way, and if at the point of the ILF Assessor’s visit it is apparent that the applicant is very unlikely to live for 6 months, the doctor will be contacted for their opinion at that stage. This will reduce delays in the majority of these cases. This procedure is effective immediately. Policy/Practice RemindersPILON and Redundancy Payments Jon Duckworth – User Service The Funds sometimes receive requests for payments to meet the cost of redundancy pay or Pay in Lieu of Notice (PILON). It is not Funds practice to pay for such costs. This is because ILF funding is meant to cover related costs incurred while care is being employed, and not for costs that arise when the care has ceased. The Funds are unable to make payments in respect of redundancy payments or PILON available to Fund users for legal reasons. Long Stay Hospital Patients Robyn Lewis - Customer Services There appears to have been some communication that has circulated throughout different authorities and other organisations stating that the Fund’s policy on long stay hospital patients has changed. Please note that the Fund’s policy has not changed and the 1993 Fund cannot accept an application, if the person has ever been a long-stay hospital patient, ie the hospital was their home. This does not affect people who have been in hospital for a long time eg a spinal injury patient who stayed in hospital for treatment and rehabilitation. Retainer Fees Chris Priddle - Customer Services  The introduction of the Funds’ ability to consider paying Retainer Fees was approved as an outcome of the 5 yearly Review of the ILF by the Department for Work and Pensions in 2001. This was to reduce the risk of Personal Assistants having to seek alternative employment due to their loss of earnings during periods of a Fund user’s hospitalisation or respite. Self Employed Personal Assistants (PAs) and Agencies Robyn Lewis - Customer Services The Fund is unable to pay a retainer to self-employed PA's. PAs who are self-employed are not entitled to holiday pay, sick pay etc. The Fund user will not have to make any deductions for tax or NI if the PA is self-employed. A payment for holiday pay or a retainer will not be made for agency staff as the agency and not the Fund user employ them. Inappropriate Applications Robyn Lewis - Customer Services LA Provision To avoid time wasting for the ILF staff and LA staff it is essential that any application for funding is based on an accurately costed care package, prior to submitting the Application. The Application form asks if the cost of the proposed package is at least £200pw and less than £715pw, and a Care Manager/Social Worker signs the form on behalf of the Local Authority, confirming this fact. The Funds have received many applications when this has clearly not been considered and the outcome often results in a waste of time for all concerned, as the application is refused when the actual cost has been supplied. Applicant Participation It is essential that an applicant has: -
The Fund cannot proceed with an application that is not wanted by an applicant. Starting Payments Jon Duckworth – User Service Whenever the Fund makes a new, or revised offer, forms are sent out that need to be completed before this offer can start to be paid. The Fund user (or their representative) receives a Care Details form and a Payment Details form to complete and return. The allocated Social Worker will receive a Confirmation of Input form. This form is for the Social Worker to confirm the level of Local Authority input, and the date it started or is due to start. This form has to be completed and returned. Payments from the Fund will not commence without it, nor will any increases take effect. It is also worth bearing in mind that Fund users will have forms to return too. If you are have been notified of a new offer for a user and you suspect that they may have difficulty completing the forms, it is best to contact them about this and offer your help, as failure to return either the Care and/or Payment Details forms (or incorrect completion) will delay payment of the new amount. Local Authority (LA) ChargesRobyn Lewis - Customer ServicesLA Charges If a charge is made for care provided by the LA, this charge will be taken into account as already being used towards the cost of care, and the assessed ILF charge will be reduced accordingly. If the LA makes a change to the amount a Fund User pays towards their package, the Funds must be informed, as it may affect the payments we make. Please note: the ILF award is calculated net of any assessed available income, meaning that any assessed ‘charge’ levied by ILF is deducted at source. Travel ExpensesRobyn Lewis - Customer ServicesPersonal Assistants (PAs) The Funds are not able to pay the travel to work costs for a Personal Assistant unless there are exceptional circumstances for us to consider, eg the user lives in a remote area where there is not an alternative way of attracting PAs. The Fund is unable to pay travel costs to self employed PAs.  Travel Costs - Fund Users/PAsThe Fund is unable to consider the travel or transport costs for a Fund User, or their PA to access activities, services, or outings. We would expect a persons mobility award to be used towards these costs. Travel Costs- Agencies Where care is provided through an agency and travel costs are included as part of the agency contract, then these charges can be considered. |
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