Issue - meetings

This report sets out the amendments to Brent’s Deferred Payment Agreement Policy following the introduction of the Care Act. A Deferred Payment Agreement is where a person can ‘defer’ or delay paying the costs of their care and support until a later date, so they do not have to sell their home at a point of crisis.  The Care Act 2014 introduces the requirement for all Councils to offer a Deferred Payment Scheme to people who meet the eligibility criteria for the scheme from 1 April 2015. Prior to the introduction of this Act, local authorities were able to offer deferred payment agreements on a non mandatory basis.

That approval be given the amendments to the Deferred Payment Agreement Policy, specifically the administration charge; interest rate and discretionary elements of the proposal.

Councillor Hirani (Lead Member, Adults, Health and Well-being) introduced the report which set out the amendments to Brent’s Deferred Payment Agreement Policy following the introduction of the Care Act 2014. Councillor Hirani explained that currently there were only five deferred payment agreements in place in Brent as of 2014/15 (which allowed a person to ‘defer’ or delay paying the costs of their care and support until a later more convenient date) however under the Care Act the scheme would be more widely available to people who met the eligibility criteria for the scheme from 1 April 2015. Councillor Hirani advised that the scheme would be cost neutral by way of the charging process to recover costs.

RESOLVED:

that approval be given the amendments to the Deferred Payment Agreement Policy, specifically the administration charge; interest rate and discretionary elements of the proposal.