Elderly should be reimbursed by Council
15th October 2007
East Ayrshire Council is one of a number of local authorities who previously charged those receiving personal care at home for food preparation. Guidance previously issued has now been clarified to ensure that no charge for food preparation is made. East Ayrshire Council has not made provision to reimburse those residents who were charged in previous years for this assessed need.
Des said:
“I understand that East Ayrshire Council have agreed to make an ex gratia payment to one resident who successfully challenged the charge. The interpretation of the guidance has been clarified and it is wrong not to reimburse all those who were previously charged. The assessments were undertaken and food preparation was identified as a need of the older person for personal care at home. It is wrong that individuals should have to make a claim for reimbursement. I am calling on East Ayrshire Council who are aware of those who were charged for the service to pay back the money to our senior citizens as soon as possible”.
