Advance Notice of Changes to Residential Care Charging System

Changes to the Assessment of Resources Regulations

A National Assembly for Wales Circular (NAFWC) will be issued to local authorities in Wales and placed on the Assembly’s website shortly regarding changes to the financial assessment for residential accommodation that will take effect from 6 October 2003. This advance notice will enable local authorities with social services responsibilities and other interested parties to prepare themselves.

Subject to Assembly approval, the National Assistance (Assessment of Resources) Regulations 1992 will be amended, with effect from 6 October 2003, so that :

• A new savings disregard is introduced into the financial assessment (see paragraph 3 below).
• Payments in lieu of concessionary coal are disregarded in the financial assessment for temporary residents.
• Payments made under paragraph 3 of Schedule 4 to the Adoption and Children Act 2002, whether income or capital, are disregarded.