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Changes to care charges

What is happening?  

It is proposed that charges for non-residential care services are introduced in East Renfrewshire. This is support within the community with tasks such as shopping, cooking, travel or companionship.

In every other local authority in Scotland, people do have to pay for these services.  

Personal care, including help with washing, toileting and medication, is free in Scotland and would not be chargeable.

Elected Members considered a report on introducing these charges in East Renfrewshire at a meeting of Full Council on Wednesdat 22 October 2025..

At this meeting Councillors did not make a final decision.

This is due to ongoing national discussions on council budgets with COSLA. Councillors agreed it was important to await further clarity about funding before making a final decision.

This means nothing is changing right now.

What happens next

  • The update will go to Full Council on 10 December 2025 at the earliest.
  • We'll let you know when we have a date.
  • We will continue to support people who need care and make sure any future decisions are clear and fair.

What was proposed?

  • Charging for non-residential care services. This is support within the community with tasks such as shopping, cooking, travel or companionship.
  • Personal care stays free including help with washing, toileting and medication.
  • Only people who can afford it would pay.
  • People will only be charged for the care they receive.
  • This is worked out through a money check, also known as a financial assessment.

You would only pay if you have more than:

  • £170 per week (under 60)
  • £284 per week (over 60)


after all your expenses are taken off.

If you do pay, you would contribute up to 60% of your remaining income, which is known as chargeable income.

Example

If you're under 60 and have:

  • £600 income
  • £400 expenses
    You're left with £200.
    £170 is protected.
    You might pay 60% of the £30 left = £18 per week.
    You keep £182 per week.

What should you do now?

  • We would encourage everyone to speak to the Council Money Advice and Rights Team (MART) to use their income maximisation service.
  • Income maximisation is checking if you can get more money or benefits.  
  • 30% of those who have completed a financial assessment and income maximisation have seen average gains of £8,000 per year.
  • The other 70% have told us they feel reassured by the process.

MART's help is:  

✅ Free  

✅ Confidential

Last year, MART helped over 5,500 people get over £10 million.

How to contact MART  

  • Phone: 0141 577 8420  
  • Monday to Friday, 8:45am to 4:45pm  (3:55pm on Friday)
  • Contact them online 

Tell MART if you need extra help with your appointment.  

Need support with this information?

We can help people understand this: 

  • in a way that is easier for you to understand  
  • in another language  

To arrange this:  

Other documents you might find helpful

Social Work (Monday to Friday, 8:45am to 4:45pm)

East Renfrewshire Carers Centre 

East Renfrewshire SDS Forum 

  

 

    Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

     Non-residential care includes services like social supports, charges for meals, day opportunities, building and community based services. Personal care at home is categorised as non-residential care but this cannot be charged for and will remain free. Legislation sets out what is categorised as personal care and this information can be found at     https://www.legislation.gov.uk/asp/2002/5/schedule/1 

    There is not a start date at the moment as Elected Members will consider the proposal on 10 December 2025 at the earliest, after voting to defer the decision on 22 October 2025.

    The law sets out what can and cannot be charged for and we will also adhere to COSLA guidance. We would also take learnings from the other 31 local authorities in Scotland who have all be charging for these services for a number of years.

    The guiding principles of the proposal are designed to ensure fairness and protect those who are most vulnerable:

    • Only people who can afford it would pay.
    • No one will pay more than the actual cost of the service
    • This is worked out through a financial assessment.
    • Charges would only apply to non-residential care (like help with shopping, cooking, travel or companionship).
    • Personal care stays free (like help with washing, toileting and medication)
    • People would contribute to their care if they have more than:
    • Ø £170 per week (under 60)

    • Ø  £284 per week (over 60)


      after all expenses are taken off. This is the minimum income guarantee set by the Scottish Government

    • Anyone with less than the minimum income guarantee after expenses are deducted would not be charged.

    • Any funds over and above the minimum income guarantee are known as chargeable income. They would then contribute up to 60% of this.

      Example

      If a person is under 60 and has:

    • £600 income
    • £400 expenses
      They're left with £200.
      £170 is protected.
      They might pay 60% of the £30 left = £18 per week.
      They keep £182 per week.
    • Individuals will be clearly informed how and why they're being charged
    • Everyone will be treated fairly and consistently
    • Legislation sets out what services can and cannot be charged for.

     

    The policy would not look at who provides the care, but who funds it. The aim of the policy is not to reduce care, but to charge for the applicable elements of care.

     

    This will be different for everyone, but very generally, income is wages or pensions/benefits and expenditure is household related things, like mortgage/rent and council tax..

    Through a financial assessment. These will be carried out by the Council Money Advice and Rights Team (MART) in partnership with the person and their carers/family.

    You will only pay towards your care if you can afford it. 

    This video explains the financial assessment process

    This will be different for each person, as it will be based on a financial assessment.  

    This will be based solely on the individual's circumstances, not the household.

    No, the financial assessment will be based solely on the individual's circumstances. There may be occasions where we do assess people together because it makes more sense for them i.e. couples who share care.

    The policy will have no impact on your income but it will consider, based on your income and expenditure, whether you can contribute towards paying for relevant services.

    If the financial assessment establishes you do not have the means to contribute to your care, you will not pay anything.

    Absolutely not.

    We will only take available capital and savings into account; we will not take into account the value of your primary home.

    If you are under 60, savings will be included as income if they are over:

    • you are single - £6,000
    • you live with your partner - combined savings of £6,000. Savings are split evenly — so for example £3,000 each.

    For every £250 (or part) of savings above this amount we will count £1 per week as income from savings

    If you are over 60, savings will be included as income if they are over:

    • you are single - £10,000
    • you live with your partner - combined savings of £10,000. Savings are split evenly — so for example £5,000 each.

    ·For every £500 (or part) of savings above this amount we will count £1 per week as income from savings..

    The mobility element of disability allowance will be disregarded for financial assessment purposes.

    People receiving a direct payment would receive this net of any assessed contribution. People whose care is paid for directly by the HSCP would receive a bill from the HSCP for their portion, likely on a 4 week basis.

    Any support provided to carers themselves is exempt from any charge.

    The financial assessment will be on the individual receiving care, not the household.  

    You may wish to ensure that you are receiving all the financial support that you are entitled to.

    East Renfrewshire Carers' Centre can assist with this. www.eastrenfrewshirecarers.co.uk as can the Council Money Advice and Rights Team (MART) https://www.eastrenfrewshire.gov.uk/mart

    There is no indication that this will be taken forward and our financial situation is so challenging that we need to progress with this proposal.

     

     

    Last modified on 24 October 2025

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