How are services paid for?

Charges

We do not charge service users directly, but pay providers for the services they provide to people who are eligible for our funding. Service users who are not eligible for funding from us continue to pay providers, as was the case prior to the introduction of the Supporting People programme in April 2003.

Local charging policy

From April 2003, Kent implemented a charging policy in line with the Fairer Charging Policy for non-residential services. The policy took into account individual service users' financial circumstances, if they were not entitled to Housing Benefit. In October 2003, the Commissioning Body agreed for the Supporting People programme to de-link from the policy.

Since then, service users not eligible for our funding can apply through their local Fairer Charging Officer for a Protected Income Level Check. In addition, the following groups are not eligible for a Supporting People grant:

• Young people leaving care and placed under the Children (Leaving Care) Act 2000. Providers notify Supporting People and reclaim the amount paid that Social Services have also paid, or the Supporting People team seeks to receive reimbursement from the Adult Services Directorate.
• Service users discharged under Section 117 of the Mental Health Act 1983 and not in receipt of housing benefit. Providers notify Supporting People and a check is carried out between us and Social Services. The Supporting People team will look to reclaim expenditure from the Mental Health team when payments have been made from the Supporting People budget in these instances.
• Refugees not having been given leave to remain in the country.

Service users in receipt of a short-term service (less than 2 years duration - identified by the contract that the service sits on) will receive a free service.

Fairer Charging Officers are located at the local Social Services offices.