Social security

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Dear Staffordshire County Council, I was wondering under the FOIA that when you fill out a social security carer form,why is it that there are so many personal questions to be asked,that really are not in relation to social security in my eyes, ie funeral plan, water bill etc. Also where does the 6 weeks free carer thing come from and who gets this. This issue has really got to myself quickly,and upset us as a family,to be giving this sort of information out to who exactly.Hope you can help,or more than likely push us onto someone else who might be able to answer.

Yours faithfully,

Trigster

Portch, David (Corporate), Staffordshire County Council

Dear Trigster

The county council is not responsible for 'social security'.

If your request relates to a benefit provided by central government, for example, Carers Allowance, you will need to address your questions to the relevant government service. The county council does not hold this information.

However, if this is not the case, and the form that you refer to relates to a service provided by the county council, or an assessment carried out by the county council, please can you tell us what this is. This will help us to direct your request to the appropriate council service team.

Please note that the scope of 'freedom of information requests' is limited to providing recorded information and does not normally extend to providing explanation. However, should your request be one for the council to deal with we can of course forward your email to the service.

Can I also make you aware that you should ensure that if you use the Whatdotheyknow website to submit your requests to us both your requests and our responses are available for anyone to see, so please make sure that you do not disclose any personal information.

Please feel free to email me direct - [email address] or our team mailbox - [Staffordshire County Council request email]

Regards
  
David Portch

Access Team
Staffordshire County Council
1 Staffordshire Place
Stafford
ST16 2DH

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Dear Portch, David (Corporate),Hi David, it's the financial assessment form for a contribution towards the cost of care services. The questions they ask or information they need is ridiculous in our eyes. If a 100yr old had to fill it in it just wouldn't be possible. Thanks

Yours sincerely,

Neil Elson

Portch, David (Corporate), Staffordshire County Council

Dear Neil Elson

Thank you for providing clarification. I can now forward your questions to the relevant service team.

Regards
  
David Portch

Access Team
Staffordshire County Council
1 Staffordshire Place
Stafford
ST16 2DH

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Portch, David (Corporate), Staffordshire County Council

Dear Trigster

Thank you for your request for information.

Please find information provided by the relevant service team(s) below.

I was wondering under the FOIA that when you fill out a social security carer form, why is it that there are so many personal questions to be asked, that really are not in relation to social security in my eyes, ie funeral plan, water bill etc.

When an individual receives social care, a financial assessment is carried out to ascertain if they will make a contribution towards the cost of their care, pay the full cost or in fact contribute nothing. To do this a financial assessment officer (FAO) requires details about that individuals income and outgoings. Once this is received then they calculate the assessed charge following government and county council guidelines. The FAO will make contact with the relevant person as detailed by the social worker following their care assessment – this may be the individual themselves or somebody else who is the individuals financial representative.

Also where does the 6 weeks free carer thing come from and who gets this.

As per the Care Act 2014 (for further detail see paragraph 2.61 of the Care Act Statutory Guidance https://www.gov.uk/government/publicatio...) people are entitled to a period of re-ablement to help them get their lives back on track. Re-ablement support is not charged for and may last for up to 6 weeks. But as soon as it is identified that someone needs support on an on-going basis then support for social care needs which has a cost associated with it is chargeable and you may have to contribute to the cost dependant on your financial circumstances. Therefore if two weeks into reablement it is identified that support is required long term any further support you receive is chargeable.

If you have any comments relating to how your request has been handled by our authority you should contact us in the first instance. Send your comment or complaint to:

Access Manager, Access Team, Staffordshire County Council, 2 Staffordshire Place, Stafford ST16 2DH or email [Staffordshire County Council request email]

If you then have any further comments relating to how your request has been handled by our authority, please contact the Information Commissioner, Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow, Cheshire SK9 5AF.

Regards
  
David Portch

Access Team
Staffordshire County Council
1 Staffordshire Place
Stafford
ST16 2DH

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