Hackney residents, particularly those who currently pay for their social care, or are likely to do so in the future, are being invited to have their say on national changes to how people pay for their care and support. 

The proposed Government changes are likely to have a significant impact on how local authorities like Hackney deliver care locally. The key changes proposed nationally are:

• From April 2015, people can delay paying their care home fees (through a universal deferred payment scheme which places the charges on estates).
• From April 2016, those in a care home with less than £118,000 in assets (including their home), could get some of their care paid for by their local Council
• From April 2016, a limit of £72,000 will be set on how much people pay for their care.  Once this limit is reached, the local authority will be responsible for the recipients care costs to meet their eligible needs.
• Some people will pay less than the £72,000 cap:
  - People with eligible needs before they are 18 years old
  - People who need care before retirement age will pay less

For those whose care costs are paid by the local Council, this will count towards the cap.