Hot Topics
The Personal Care Bill which is designed to give eligible people free care and re-ablement support was passed before Parliament closed down for the forthcoming general election.
However, one of the concessions made in order for the Bill to be passed was that it was agreed that both Houses of Parliament will have to approve the Bill again after the next election when it is likely that arguments about the costs of the Bill and its implementation will arise. The planned date of implementation of the Bill has now been put back to April 2011 but the results of the general election may have a major impact on the Bill's progress.
If I decide to employ my own carer what are my responsibilities?"
Answer : If you employ a carer directly you will be responsible for deducting tax and National Insurance from your employee's wages and paying them to the HMRC (HM Revenue and Customs) with your own employers National Insurance contribution.
You also have responsibilities around the hourly rate of pay, rest breaks, maximum number of hours that your carer can work per week and in addition you will be responsible for holiday and sick pay. It is also essential that you take out Employers Liability Insurance and Public Liability Insurance.
CRAG is the Charging for Residential Accommodation Guide which covers the PEA (Personal Expenses Allowance) for people in care homes, sets out the capital limits of savings that people can have in relation to how much they have to pay or contribute to their care, how much can be paid to care homes by the Councils, covers situations such as the 12 week property disregard period, how councils should perform with reference to other factors re. their duty of care to individuals in residential care, etc.
The 2010 circular published by the DOH is available in electronic format only and can be downloaded HERE
Macmillan Cancer Support has published the fact that one in four cancer patients are dying without having received Disability Living Allowance or the Attendance Allowance to which they are automatically entitled. The amount estimated by Macmillan is that approximately £90m is going unclaimed. People can contact their local Macmillan Cancer Support Charity who will be able to advise on claiming.
Created using it'seeze website design
