Most local authorities don’t charge carers for services, including services which give them a break from caring. They recognise that charging carers for services is not in the interest of carers, the disabled person or the local authority.
However, local authorities do still have a power to charge for any services provided to carers. What this means is that local authorities are allowed to charge carers for any services provided, but can choose not to. If the local authority does charge carers for any services provided, then they have to follow the same guidance they follow when charging the person being cared for.
It’s important to note that if a service is provided to the cared for person, in order to benefit the carer, the carer cannot be charged for this.
Instead, the cared for person may be charged, as it will be a service provided to them. For example, if the cared for person spends some time in residential care, in order to give the carer a break, the residential care would be a service provided directly to the cared for person, and therefore the cared for person may be charged.