Last Updated on January 31, 2018

The Department of Health and Social Care has published its annual Local Authority Circular on charging for care and support.

The circular, Social care charging for local authorities: 2018 to 2019 sets out that, for the financial year 2018/19, there is to be no change in the capital limits, Personal Expense Allowance, Minimum Income Guarantee or savings credit disregard.

It says:

• The capital limits remain at their current level (i.e. lower capital limit £14,250 and upper capital limit £23,250).
• The Personal Expenses Allowance (PEA) for local authority-supported care home residents remains at its current level (i.e. £24.90 per week).
• The Minimum Income Guarantee (MIG) for people receiving local authority-arranged care and support other than in a care home remains at its current levels.
• The savings credit disregards remain at their current level (i.e. up to £5.75 per week for individual supported residents and up to £8.60 per week for couples).

The capital limit last increased in April 2010 when it rose from £23,000 to £23,250. It has remained at that level ever since.

The future funding of social care for older people is being explored by the Government with a Green paper expected in the summer. Secondary work is expected to be undertaken for social care for working age adults.