Written Question · S5W-24830 · Session 5
Whether it is aware of any cases where a self-funding care home resident entitled to free personal care has lost out on their attendance al…
The question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it is aware of any cases where a self-funding care home resident entitled to free personal care has lost out on their attendance allowance because the free personal care element is paid directly to the care home instead of the resident, and whether it has any plans to reform the way free personal care is administered.
The answer
Attendance Allowance for self-funders in care homes in Scotland was withdrawn by UK Government when Scotland introduced free personal care in 2002. This is because UK Government determined that personal care payments to those residing in care homes were a contribution towards the resident’s care, accommodation and living costs. This was regardless of whether the personal care payment was made directly to the individual or to the care home
Therefore, currently it is not possible to receive both a payment for free personal care and Attendance Allowance if you are a self-funder in a care home in Scotland. This is regardless of how the payment is made – whether to the care home directly or to the individual.
When the decision was made to withdraw Attendance Allowance for self-funders in care homes, the then Scottish Executive increased the size of personal care payments for care home residents to compensate for this loss. This ensured self-funding residents continued to receive financial support.
Personal and Nursing Care payments in 2019-20 are £177 for personal care and £80 for nursing care per week. Attendance Allowance rates in 2019-20 are £58.70 (lower rate) and £87.65 (higher rate) per week.
There is no reason why an individual would be better off receiving Attendance Allowance rather than free personal care, whether they receive the payment directly or it is paid to the care home. The rate for free personal care payments is higher than the Attendance Allowance rate at both low and high level.
We have no immediate plans to change the process of free personal and nursing care payments to self-funders living in care homes.
Therefore, currently it is not possible to receive both a payment for free personal care and Attendance Allowance if you are a self-funder in a care home in Scotland. This is regardless of how the payment is made – whether to the care home directly or to the individual.
When the decision was made to withdraw Attendance Allowance for self-funders in care homes, the then Scottish Executive increased the size of personal care payments for care home residents to compensate for this loss. This ensured self-funding residents continued to receive financial support.
Personal and Nursing Care payments in 2019-20 are £177 for personal care and £80 for nursing care per week. Attendance Allowance rates in 2019-20 are £58.70 (lower rate) and £87.65 (higher rate) per week.
There is no reason why an individual would be better off receiving Attendance Allowance rather than free personal care, whether they receive the payment directly or it is paid to the care home. The rate for free personal care payments is higher than the Attendance Allowance rate at both low and high level.
We have no immediate plans to change the process of free personal and nursing care payments to self-funders living in care homes.
In the Official Report
No contribution in the Official Report cites S5W-24830 by reference.