Changes to adult social care charges

Surrey County Council is asking for feedback on proposed changes to how much adults pay for care at home or in the community. The aim is to bring Surrey's approach in line with national guidance.

National social care law allows councils to ask people to contribute towards the cost of their care. It also sets out how much can be charged. In Surrey, people currently pay less than the national guidance recommends for home and community-based care. This means there is less money available to run and improve the services many people rely on.

These proposals do not affect people living in residential or nursing care, where charges are already in line with national guidance.

What is being proposed

There are two main proposals.

The first proposal would affect people who have more than £23,250 in capital. Capital means money or assets that someone owns, such as savings. It does not include the value of the home they live in.

• Surrey County Council is proposing that people with more than £23,250 in capital would pay the full cost of their care.
• the current threshold is £24,500.

The second proposal is about how charges are worked out for people with capital between £14,250 and £23,250.

• Surrey County Council is proposing to add £1 per week for every £250 of capital over £14,250.
• this is known as charging ‘tariff income’, where savings are treated like weekly income.
• the maximum amount of tariff income would be £36 per week.

How to share your views

The consultation runs for 12 weeks, from Monday 16 June 2025 to Sunday 7 September 2025 at 11.59pm.

You can share your views in the following ways:

• complete the questionnaire on the Surrey Says website:
  www.surreysays.co.uk/asc-ic/chargingpolicy25

• download the questionnaire and policy in alternative formats, including Easy Read, large print and screen reader accessible versions.

• request a printed copy and a stamped addressed envelope to return it by post. Use the contact details at the end of this article.

Drop-in sessions

Surrey County Council is holding in-person events to answer questions and support people to share their views. These drop-in sessions will take place at the following libraries:

• Woking Library on Thursday 26 June 2025 from 10am to 12pm
• Camberley Library on Tuesday 1 July 2025 from 10am to 12pm
• Godalming Library on Wednesday 9 July 2025 from 10am to 12pm
• Walton Library on Wednesday 16 July 2025 from 10am to 12pm
• Horley Library on Tuesday 22 July 2025 from 10am to 12pm

Further information and contact details

To request information in another format or ask a question, you can:

• call 01372 832370
• use Relay UK by dialling 18001 01372 832370
• visit www.surreycc.gov.uk/bsl for British Sign Language support
• email chargingpolicyconsultation@surreycc.gov.uk
• write to:
  Surrey County Council
  Financial Assessments and Income Team
  Woodhatch Place
  11 Cockshot Hill
  Reigate
  RH2 8EF

Surrey County Council welcomes feedback from people who may be affected by the changes, their carers, professionals, partners and other interested stakeholders.

Please share this information with anyone who may be interested. Surrey County Council is also writing directly to people currently known to adult social care who may be affected.