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WRITTEN QUESTION TO THE MINISTER FOR SOCIAL SECURITY BY DEPUTY M. TADIER OF ST. BRELADE
ANSWER TO BE TABLED ON TUESDAY 23rd FEBRUARY 2016
Question
Can the Minister advise –
- the circumstances of any reduction in allowances made to clients of Les Amis;
- the number of clients of Les Amis who have seen a reduction in their allowances, and by how much;
- what changes, if any, have taken place in the funding arrangements between the States and Les Amis; and
- whether these changes are consistent with the goal listed in the current strategic plan of protecting the interests of the frail and the vulnerable', and if so, how?
Answer
Les Amis provides a variety of services to adults and children. The Social Security Department provides support to the majority of the 81 adult clients of Les Amis, through both the Long-Term-Care scheme and Income Support.
Some of the clients supported by Les Amis have care needs below the level to qualify for the Long-Term- Care scheme. These clients are supported through the Income Support scheme with components allocated to living expenses, rent etc. In particular these clients all receive a personal care component in addition to their normal living components.
Most of the clients supported by Les Amis qualify for the Long-Term-Care scheme. This covers the cost of providing care (four separate levels are available depending on the needs of the individual), a standard cost to cover living expenses and a personal allowance for incidental expenses. The value of these components are set out in the Long-Term-Care Benefits Order.
There has been no reduction in Long-Term Care rates. They were all increased by 1.8% from January 2016. The living component increased from £312.76 to £318.43 per week and the personal allowance increased from £34.09 to £34.72 per week.
In respect of the care element, a transitional arrangement was agreed with Les Amis to cover the first 18 months of the Long-Term-Care scheme, from July 2014 to the end of 2015. During this time, adult clients were all supported at a set care rate, regardless of the level of the care needs of the individual. The transition period allowed time for a detailed care assessment to be agreed for each client and the single care rate has now been replaced by the appropriate care rate reflecting the individual care needs of each client.
In line with the arrangements approved by the States Assembly in 2013 (P.99/2013, P.140/2013) Health and Social Services provides additional support for any client whose care needs exceeds the maximum level provided through the Long-Term Care scheme, which is currently set at £997.50 per week. A number of Les Amis clients fall into this category and Les Amis receives additional funding from Health and Social Services to support the care needs of this group.
The Long-Term Care scheme and the additional support provided through Health and Social Services now provide coordinated and consistent support for all adults with long-term care needs. The creation of a ring fenced Long-Term-Care Fund and a dedicated funding mechanism through long-term-care contributions clearly indicates the firm commitment of the States to support this vulnerable group over the long term.