(This note is not part of the Regulations)
These Regulations, which apply in relation to England only, further amend the National Assistance (Assessment of Resources) Regulations 1992 (“the Assessment Regulations”). The Assessment Regulations concern the assessment of the ability of a person to pay for residential accommodation that is provided, or proposed to be provided, to him by a local authority under Part 3 of the National Assistance Act 1948 (“the 1948 Act”).
Regulation 2 amends the National Assistance (Sums for Personal Requirements) (England) Regulations 2003 so that the weekly sum which local authorities in England are to assume, in the absence of special requirements, that residents in accommodation arranged under Part 3 of the 1948 Act will need for their personal requirements is £18.80.
Regulation 3 amends the Assessment Regulations so that the capital limit set out in regulation 20 becomes £20,500.
Regulation 4 amends the Assessment Regulations so that the capital limits set out in regulation 28(1) become £12,500 and £20,500.
Regulation 5 provides for an increase of up to £4.85 (up to £7.20 if a resident has a partner) in the amount of any savings credit to be disregarded where a resident has qualifying income not exceeding the standard minimum guarantee, and for an increase to £4.85 (£7.20 if a resident has a partner) in the amount to be disregarded if a resident has qualifying income that exceeds the standard minimum guarantee. It also provides for payments made under section 14F of the Children Act 1989 to support a resident who is a prospective special guardian or a special guardian to be disregarded as income. Regulation 6 makes provision for such payments to be disregarded as capital.
Regulation 7 revokes the National Assistance (Sums for Personal Requirements and Assessment of Resources) (Amendment) (England) Regulations 2004 and the National Assistance (Assessment of Resources) (Amendment) (No.2) (England) Regulations 2004.
A full regulatory impact assessment has not been produced for this instrument as it has no impact on the costs of business.