11.1 In some circumstances, the council may choose to treat a person as if a full financial assessment had been carried out. This is known as a light touch financial assessment. The council will conduct a light touch assessment when
- A person or their representative does not wish to undergo a full financial assessment a but wishes nonetheless to access local authority support in meeting their needs and can evidence financial resources significantly above the upper capital limit
- The charge is small, or nominal and a person is clearly able to meet it and be left with the relevant minimum income, therefore carrying out a financial assessment is disproportionate
- Where a person is in receipt of benefits to a level which demonstrates they would not be able to contribute to their care and support costs
11.2 Where the council is going to meet the person’s needs, and it proposes to undertake a light-touch financial assessment, it will take steps to assure itself that the person concerned is willing, and will continue to be willing, to pay all charges due. It must also remember that it is responsible for ensuring that people are not charged more than it is reasonable for them to pay. Where a person does not agree to the charges that they have been assessed as being able to afford to pay under this route, a full financial assessment may be needed.
11.3 Evidence that the council may ask for when conducting a light touch financial assessment includes
- Property worth more than the upper capital limit where they are the sole owner or have a clear share
- Savings over the upper capital limit
- Sufficient income left following cost of care
11.4 Example of a light touch assessment:
- When a person or their representative knows their capital assets are above the capital limit a full financial assessment may not be necessary. The council will ask the person or their representative to sign a document stating they have over the capital limit, then will write to the person or their representative with the outcome, and what to do when their capital starts to reduce closer to the capital limit
The council’s financial assessment and benefits team will still provide advice and information on welfare benefits and signpost for support to apply for these.
If a person asks the council to arrange their care and support services, other than permanent care in a care home, they will pay the full cost of the care and support services arranged by the council. Arrangement and administration fees might apply.
