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How to Pay for Care  

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A5 Booklet - print version How to Pay for Care  (36.33 KB)

1. What you can pay for
you can pay for home care, day care attendance, meals and transport charges using any of the methods mentioned on this page, you cannot pay for WRVS meals in this way.

2, How to pay
There are various ways you can make payments, depending on what suits you. You can ask a representative to make payments on your behalf, for example a relative or close friend.

You can pay:

• At the Post Office
  You can use the Post Office paying-in card (see below for further details.)
  
  
• By post
  You can send cheques by post to the Home Care Finance section, (see below). These must be made payable to Worcestershire County Council and have your name, address, and Home Care account number on the back.
  
  
• In person
  You or your representative can take cheques or cash to your local Social Services office and pay at reception
  
  
• By standing order
  You can ask to set up a standing order so charges are paid monthly directly from your bank account. Please contact the Community Care Finance Team if you wish to use this method.
  
  
• At the day centre
  If you attend a day centre which is run by Worcestershire County Council you can pay your charges at the day centre

3. The Post Office paying-in card

• Your Post Office paying-in card contains your personal account number for services you receive.
• It will be sent to you shortly after the start of your service with the letter confirming your charge.
• It can only be used to make payments into your account.
• No money can be taken out using the card.
• It is not a credit card.
• The minimum amount payable with the card is £5.

4. Using your paying-in card
You can use it at:

• Your local Post Office
• Any Post Office in the County
• Any other Post Office in the country.

The Post Office does not charge for this service.

• You or your representative should take your card with your payment to the Post Office. If you are paying by cheque, please make cheques payable to "Post Office Counters Ltd."
• You will be given a receipt so you have a record of your payments. We advise you to keep your receipts.
• Your payment is passed to the County Council and automatically credited to your Social Services Home Care account.
• You must keep your payments up to date.

5. Monthly statements of your payments
At the start of the service, or at any time whilst you are receiving a service, you or your representative can ask for a statement. Ring the Community Care Finance Team who will be pleased to arrange this for you.

Statements are usually sent about 3 weeks after the end of the month that they are for.

6. If your charges change
If your weekly hours vary, your charge may vary.
If there is a permanent change to the help you receive each week, you will be told what your new charge is in writing.

7. If you are away from home
If you are away from home and are not receiving any help during the week, you should make sure your Community Care Office knows in advance. Your Home Care visit can then be cancelled and you will then not have to pay for that time.

8. If you lose the paying-in card
If you lose your card or have any problems using it, please contact the Community Care Finance Team who will arrange for a replacement to be sent to you as soon as possible.

9. Any queries
If you have any queries concerning payment for your Home Care Services, please contact the

Community Care Finance Team.
Worcestershire Social Care
PO Box 372
Worcester
WR5 2XE

Tel: 01905 728585