Issue - meetings

Mark Scarrott, Finance Manager (Neighbourhood and Adult Services), presented Circular LAC(DH)(2013)2 Armed Forces Independence Payments – Treatment in the Financial Assessment for Charging – which provided guidance on the treatment of the above payments when carrying out financial assessments in order to calculate how much someone should pay towards their accommodation charges.

As from 8^th April, 2013, Personal Independence Payments (PIP) replaced Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for eligible working age claimants.  The mobility component of DLA was excluded by Legislation from being taken into account in the financial assessment for charges.  Likewise, the mobility component of PIP should also  be disregarded.

From the 8^th April, Armed Forces Independence Payments would begin to replace DLA for veterans.  It was not divided into daily living and mobility components but the total amount of payment was the same.

For residential care charging, under the National Assistance (Assessment of Resources) Regulations 1992, Armed Forces Independence Payments should be fully disregarded in the financial assessment.  For non-residential care charging, as set out in ‘Fairer Charging Guidance’, Councils may choose to disregard Armed Forces Independence Payments entirely in recognition of the contribution made by armed forces personnel injured whilst on active duty.

Should the Council decide not to disregard the Armed Forces Independence Payment in full, it must disregard an amount equivalent to what would be disregarded from a PIP.

Discussion ensued on the Circular.  It was emphasised that it was applicable only for Armed Forces personnel who had been injured whilst on active service and had received Disability Living Allowance (to be replaced by PIP).

Resolved:-  (1)  That Armed Forces Independence Payments be disregarded entirely when calculating non-residential care charges for former armed forces veterans line with the Statutory Disregard which applied when calculating residential care charges.

(2)  That the report be forwarded to the Armed Forces Community Covenant Group for information.

(3)  That the Press Office be requested to issue a suitable press release.