Doncaster Council

When should I expect to receive a bill for income which has been paid to me and which is included on the Financial Assessment?

Your first bill should be received shortly after you receive the financial assessment. Bills will usually be sent on a four-weekly basis, meaning that you will receive thirteen bills per year.

If I act as appointee, what do I need to do?

You will be responsible for all liaison with occupational pension companies and/or the Benefits Agency, supplying all verification of income and capital to the Financial Assessments Team at Doncaster Council and to the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), and for receiving and paying residential care accounts from the Council.

Please remember that the amount you will be charged will include any entitlement to benefits. If you have not made a claim for these benefits they will still be shown on your bill. It is very important that you ensure the resident is receiving all of the income shown on the financial assessment. If you are not sure whether you are claiming all of the income the person in care is entitled to, you should first contact the Financial Assessments Team who will be able to assist you. They can be contacted by telephone between 8.30 am and 5.30 pm (Monday to Friday) on the following telephone number:- 01302 862922.

Alternatively, you can make any query in writing to the following address:-

Doncaster Metropolitan Borough Council
Financial Assessments Team
Colonnades House
Duke Street
Doncaster
DN1 1ER

 

Will I have to pay anything if Doncaster Council acts as appointee?

If all of the income shown on the 'Financial Assessment' is being collected directly by the Council, then there will be nothing for you to pay. If there is some income not being collected directly by the Council, then you will be billed for this.

For example, if Doncaster Council has been made appointee by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), then we will be able to collect state benefits such as retirement pension and income support directly. The Mineworkers Pension Scheme and some other pension companies will often accept applications from a local authority to collect the pension directly. Unfortunately, cash-in-lieu of coal and many other pension companies will not allow the Council to be paid directly.

The person in care may also make a further contribution towards their care charges if they have savings or own a property. You should contact the Financial Assessments Team if you need further information about the level of capital the person is allowed to have before a further contribution will be required.

In these cases, accounts will be sent to you for any income shown on the financial assessment which has not been collected by the Council directly.

If you receive a giro cheque or pension book from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and you do not act as appointee, please contact the Income Collection Team for advice. 

What should I do if my financial circumstances change?

If there is any change to the level of income or capital of the person in care, you should notify the Financial Assessments Team. You will be asked to provide verification of this change. If you collect the benefits yourself, you must also notify the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).

What happens when I receive a new financial assessment?

A financial assessment will be issued to reflect any change in income and capital. When you receive your assessment, a copy will be sent to the Income Collectin Team and your bills will be adjusted. A financial assessment is produced at least once a year for every person in permanent care. You may receive a bill showing undercharges, (amounts owing) that have occurred in previous accounts.