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LAC (2004)9: Charges for residential accommodation - CRAG amendment no 21

National assistance (sums for personal requirements and assessment of resources) (amendment) (England) regulations 2004

This circular announces changes to the Charging for Residential Accommodation Guide and encloses a full revised version.

This circular:

  • Announces the revised Personal Expenses Allowance (PEA) of £18.10 that comes into force on 12 April 2004. It applies to everyone in care homes, including care homes with nursing on the premises, receiving help to meet costs from councils with social services responsibilities (hereafter referred to as 'councils'), under Part 3 of the National Assistance Act 1948. It reminds councils of the purpose of the PEA.
  • Announces the revision of the capital limits from £12,000 (lower) and £19,500 (upper) to £12,250 (lower) and £20,000 (upper), which are to come into force on 12 April 2004. Councils are reminded of the effect on charges for home care.
  • Announces the revision of the savings disregard from up to £4.50 to up to £4.65 per week for individual supported residents aged 65 and over. The savings disregard will also increase from up to £6.75 to up to £6.95 per week for couples. The savings disregard provisions regarding the treatment of couples have also been amended so that the disregard does not apply where it is the resident's partner who is in receipt of the savings credit.
  • Advises councils of a new disregard for ex-gratia payments from the Skipton Fund to people who have been infected with hepatitis C as a result of NHS treatment with blood or blood products. The date on which this scheme will begin is still to be finalised.
  • Reminds councils who have not returned their audited certificate of expenditure for 2002/2003 for the Deferred Payments grant that they must do so.

A summary of the amendments to CRAG is given in the Appendix. A complete revised version of CRAG is also enclosed.

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