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Many disabled and older people, and their carers, are facing hardship as a result of the impact of the Government's fairer charging policy for home care.
In its report, "The Costs of Care", the Coalition on Charging says that many disabled and older people have to pay from their benefits for essential services they are assessed as needing. Many now have no choice but to reduce the level of service they receive.
More than half of those responding to the questionnaire said current policies had had a negative effect on their income and lifestyle. A similar proportion said their local authority had failed to provide enough information about changes to charging policies.
Richard Holmes, Chair of Coalition on Charging says:
"It is unfair to expect disabled people to pay for everyday services they need that others take for granted and would't dream of having support in doing. Education and health services are essential and so should be free for all - the same should then apply to community care services. There are 8.6 (now 10) million disabled people in the UK, the vast majority of whom rely on welfare benefits as their main source of income. Taking money out of these benefits for essential services is effectively placing an extra tax on disabled and older people - something most can ill afford."
Case Study
Jim is a 73 year old man who was paralysed after an accident at the age of 28. He worked all his life until retiring a few years ago. He lives independently and requires help in his home for up to fourteen hours a week. He was charged £12 a week for these services.
Last year, as a result of the guidance, his local authority increased those charges by tenfold to £112. Jim lives on Industrial Injuries Benefit and the minimum state pension.
Note to editors:
The Coalition on Charging is an alliance of 200 national and local organisations. The Coalition's Steering Group is made up of the following organisations: Mencap, Scope, Disability Alliance, Age Concern, British Polio Fellowship, Help the Aged, MS Society and Carers UK
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