Charges for services

If we have assessed you as needing a service and you have agreed to receive this service, we will tell you the cost of that service before you start to receive it.  The charges we make for services vary:     

• some services are free - for example, advice and information, loan of most occupational therapy equipment, assessments and visits by Cumbria County Council Adult Social Care staff or volunteers;
• others have a set charge - for example, meals on wheels; and
• for others, people pay on a sliding scale according to their means, for example, home care, attending a day centre and care in a residential or nursing home.                              

Details of charges for different services are given below:

Telephones for disabled people

If you are assessed as needing a telephone, we will pay the cost of installation. You will be expected to pay the ongoing rental costs and costs of calls. 

Holiday grants for disabled people

There is no cost to apply for a holiday grant and people assessed as eligible for a grant will receive a letter informing them of how much their grant will be. 

Occupational Therapy

There is no charge for our visit to you or for your assessment.  Most equipment is provided free on a loan basis.  We do not provide some inexpensive items (under £10) but we can advise you on where to buy these locally.   

There may be a charge for adaptations. These charges are usually based on what you can afford.  For some adaptations, Disabled Facilities Grants may be available from your local District Council.  For more information on these grants, use the link in the 'More information' box on the right.   

We work closely with local Housing Authorities and Housing Associations.  Tenants in this type of housing may be able to get the cost of adaptations paid for through their landlord.  If not, grants may be available.     

Meals on Wheels

Meals on wheels cost £2.70p per meal.  You should pay this to the person who delivers your meal.    

Day care for older people over 65

For older people attending day care, there is a charge made up of two parts:

• a fixed charge of £3.50p as a contribution towards the cost of transport to the day centre and meals; and
• a financially assessed charge of up to £10 per day for the care provided at day care.

The charge for care will be subject to a financial assessment where people will be charged according to their finances.  For more information see our day care charges pages using the link in the 'more information' box on the right.

Day care for people under 65

For people under 65 attending day care, there is a charge made up of three parts: 

• £1.65p as a contribution towards the cost of the meals and refreshments;
• £1.05p as a contribution towards the cost of transport to the day centre; and
• a financially assessed charge of up to £10 per day for the care provided at day care.                               

This charge for care will be subject to a financial assessment where people will be charged according to their finances.  For more information see our day care charges pages using the link in the 'more information' box on the right.

Home Care

There will be a charge for personal care provided to people in their own homes through Cumbria County Council's Adult Social Care.  This charge is based on a financial assessment  we carry out to help us decide how much they will be expected to pay.  For more information, use the link in the 'More information' box on the right.  

People who make their own arrangements for home care will have to agree how much they pay with the organisation they choose to buy their care from.

Residential care and nursing home care

If we have assessed you as needing residential care or nursing home care and have agreed a contract with the home of your choice, we then will pay the home the agreed fee. 

However, you will be required to contribute towards the cost of your care on a sliding scale according to your means.  This is done by assessing your finances before you move into the home.  The assessments of your finances are different for long term and short term stays in homes (for more information on these grants, use the links in the 'More information' box on the right).  You will then know the cost you will be asked to pay before you decide to move.  If you do not wish to disclose your financial details, then you can either pay us the full cost of the fees or make your own arrangements directly with the home of your choice.