Paying for Care
Some of the services provided by Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council are free – such as information, advice and assessments regarding what help you and your carer may need. However, if you are assessed as needing any of the following services, you may be asked to contribute towards the cost.
Reablement Service
Reablement is about helping people to do things for themselves, and to maintain or regain the ability to live life as independently as possible with an appropriate level of support. This can be provided within the community or upon discharge form hospital for a time limited period.
Care and support provided specifically as reablement, by our Initial Response Team will be free of charge for up to 6 weeks. If your service transfers from our Initial Response Team within the 6 week period because your maximum potential has been achieved , you will be financially assessed from the date of transfer in line with the details below, dependant on the service(s) received.
Community Support
Community Care and Support Services enable people to live independently in their own homes wherever possible. These services include:
- Supported accommodation
- Day care services – attendance
- Support in the home services – Personal care services, Sitting services (Day/night), General domestic services
- Services provided to Carers
Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council is working within a framework of financial restraint and therefore charges a contribution towards the above listed services. This enables us to continue to provide a high quality and responsive service.
Please refer to the Paying for Community Care and Support Services leaflet for further information on the financial assessment process, maximum weekly contributions, who will be charged, and our review process.
Residential Care/Nursing Care
If you are assessed as being in need of residential or nursing home care, we will find out more about your needs and look at your financial situation. This is known as a ‘Financial Assessment’. Charges towards residential or nursing care are calculated in line with The Welsh Governments Charging for Residential Accommodation Guidelines under the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014.
Please refer to the Paying for Residential Care leaflet leaflet for further information.
Respite Care Services
Respite is care that is provided on a short term basis for people who normally live at home, so that their carers can have a break from caring.
The cared for person who receives the respite care is the person eligible to pay for the service. From April 2016 under the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014 the way we charge for respite has changed.
If you receive respite for a period of less than 8 consecutive weeks you will be financially assessed in the same way as if you were receiving community care and support services under our non-residential charging policy.
Please refer to the Paying for Respite Care leaflet for further information.
Direct Payments
Direct Payments are a way of arranging your own care services by receiving a regular payment instead of having services arranged or provided by the Local Authority. Direct Payments are designed to give you flexibility to meet your care needs in ways that are most convenient for you. With Direct Payments you choose who provides the care to meet your needs, and you control when services are delivered.
Please refer to the Direct Payments leaflet for further information.
