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Adult Social Care Contributions Policy 2024 3. The financial assessment process

The eligibility threshold for an adult’s needs is set out in the Care and Support (Eligibility Criteria) Regulations 2014. The threshold is based on identifying how an adult’s needs affect their ability to achieve relevant outcomes and how this impact on their wellbeing. 

If an adult’s needs meet the Councils’ eligibility criteria for services, the Council will undertake an assessment of the adult’s ability to contribute to the cost of their care. This is done through a financial assessment, which will be undertaken by the Financial Assessment and Charging Team. 

The adult will receive contact from the Financial Assessment and Charging Team following a referral from the social care practitioner, during the care needs assessment stage. Social care practitioners will only be required to request a financial assessment to be undertaken where the adult:

  • is new to Walsall Council Adult Social Care
  • has had a change in circumstances

The Financial Assessment and Charging Team will then contact the adult or their representative to explain the process and what is required as part of the assessment process. Adults will be provided with information and advice. They will be directed to where further information is available, including the customer booklet ‘Your Social Care Contributions Explained’ and online resources such as Council's website.

Adults can ask for assistance in completing the financial assessment. This can be requested with the Financial Assessment and Charging Team or, if preferred, an independent advocate. 

Where an adult has a representative, i.e., Deputy, Power of Attorney or Appointee or next of kin that deals with their financial affairs, they must be part of the financial assessment process. If there is no legal representative, an adult may wish to have support from a carer, relative or friend. 

Adults who are subject to a financial assessment will also be offered a welfare benefit check to ensure that they are receiving all the income that they are entitled to. The financial assessment process will look at the total income and assets an adult has available to contribute. The Care Act and Statutory Guidance details that we include certain sources of income and assets and what should be excluded. Evidence will be required to substantiate an adult’s financial circumstances. 

If there is a delay in completing the financial assessment resulting from the adult failing to provide all requested information in the timescale specified (usually 14 days), the Council reserves the right to apply a full charge and the adult will be required to pay the full cost of their service:

  • First financial assessment - from the start of the service
  • Financial assessment review - from the date of the full charge decision 

However, every effort will be made by the Council to undertake a financial assessment using available information to provide an accurate financial assessment. 

If an adult declines or refuses a financial assessment, they will be required to pay for the full cost of their service from the start of the service. Following the financial assessment, the Council will notify the adult/their representative of the outcome of the assessment and their assessed contribution towards their adult social care cost.