A review of Bedford Borough Council’s adult social care charging policy raised concerns over fairness in means-testing and whether vulnerable residents are struggling to access financial support.
During last week’s Adult Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee (25 February), the issue of whether the financial assessment process unfairly penalises those living alone was raised.
Cllr John Wheeler (Conservative, Wootton and Kempston Rural) said single-person households receive a lower allowance for heating costs than two-person households, despite needing to heat the same home.
“I personally think it’s unfair that somebody living on their own should be penalised,” he said. “The cost of gas is going up again and I just feel it’s something perhaps that should be looked into, I think it’s unfair.
“A lot of [elderly people’s] money is going towards heating – they’ve got to keep warm. But I think, one person, two people, in one room what’s the difference?” he asked.
“Perhaps It’s too late for this policy, but for next year [perhaps] that could be looked into.”
The council’s chief officer for health integration, Simon White, explained that these figures are set at a national level by the National Association of Financial Assessment Officers using Office for National Statistics (ONS) data.
“I don’t know how they calculate it,” he said. “But cleverer people than me calculate that apparently two people do use slightly more heating.
“It’s not a huge difference, I think it’s £14 a week but that’s been calculated on a national basis and we use that guidance.”
Councillor Wheeler also raised concerns that some older and vulnerable residents may not be receiving all the financial support they are entitled to.
Although, in this instance, he did praise the council’s efforts in checking benefit entitlements during financial assessments.
“Which is very encouraging,” he said.
“Because another committee I sit on, it’s very apparent that this isn’t the case, people don’t realise what they’re entitled to.
“I know that some senior people find it difficult to fill in these forms.”
The portfolio holder for valuing families and adult services, cllr Robert Rigby (Conservative, Bromham) said: “[We] go into great detail with people and certainly if they do qualify for things, we will always make sure that they will get what they need.”
by John Guinn
Local Democracy Reporter
