Cost of care services

Simple guidance on what you might pay for care, the support available with costs, when Staffordshire County Council will help pay and deferred payment agreements.

Contents

Your adult social care invoice

If you can’t find what you need, contact Staffordshire Cares by telephone: 0300 111 8010 or Email: staffordshirecares@staffordshire.gov.uk.

If you pay the full cost of your care directly to a provider (self‑funder), some of this information may not apply.

How we bill you

  • We send invoices once your care is arranged and your financial assessment is complete.
  • Your first invoice may be delayed; after that, invoices are issued every 4 weeks.
  • We charge for care Sunday to Saturday each week.

You can ask us to email your invoice. Contact direct.payments@staffordshire.gov.uk with your customer number, or call 0300 111 8010.

How to pay

Paying by Direct Debit is the easiest way to stay up to date.

You can still pay by other methods listed on your invoice.

If you think your invoice is wrong

  • Invoices remain payable while we investigate. You may still receive reminders.
  • If we need to correct the amount, we will apply a credit to your account.
  • We only issue a refund if there are no ongoing invoices for care.
  • You can also use our online form: Report missed or cancelled care.

Tell us about changes

Let us know straight away if:

  • care has stopped, changed, or calls were missed/cancelled
  • someone has been admitted to hospital
  • you’ve moved home or changed contact details

For care in your own home

For residential care

  • Speak to your social worker and the care home (see specific rules below).
  • Phone Staffordshire Cares if you’re not sure who to contact: 0300 111 8010

Changes may not show on your invoice immediately. Any adjustments will appear on a later invoice.

Residential care: what to expect

Before your financial assessment is complete

  • We charge a provisional amount from the date you move in.
  • Once your assessment is complete, we backdate your actual charge to the start of care.
  • Most people can keep £28.25 per week as personal spending money. Spending more than this may make it harder to pay when your first invoice arrives.

After your assessment

  • Your client charge is based on your income and assets.
  • If it’s higher than the provisional amount, you’ll receive an invoice for the difference.

Who bills you

  • Staffordshire County Council collects client charges (not the care home).

If you move to a different care home

  • Your weekly client charge usually stays the same (unless you pay the full cost).
  • You might briefly see the old home name on your invoice while we update records—please pay as normal. We’ll then issue a credit note and a new invoice.

Hospital stays

  • You still pay your contribution while in hospital unless the placement ends with notice in writing and your social worker agrees.
  • You (or your representative) must give written notice to your social worker and the care home.

After someone has died

  • Our contract with care homes includes paying for 3 days after the date of death.
  • The client charge and any top‑up are part of this and are invoiced to the sponsor and the estate.
  • This is a standard contract term and cannot be changed.

To report a death, please provide: the date of death, client ID/customer number, last date care was delivered, where the person was prior to passing (hospital, hospice, or at home) and when, and estate contact (executor/solicitor/Power of Attorney).
Email staffordshirecares@staffordshire.gov.uk or call 0300 111 8010.

Care in your own home: what to expect

Charging periods

  • We charge for care delivered Sunday to Saturday.

Respite (replacement care)

  • Charged from the day you’re admitted and including the day you leave.

Reablement (up to 6 weeks)

  • Not chargeable for up to 6 weeks (this isn’t a guaranteed 6 weeks).
  • We review your needs during this period.
  • After reablement ends, you’ll be charged for any ongoing care.

Missed or cancelled calls

  • Your care provider needs at least 24 hours’ notice to cancel.
  • If you tell us about a missed/cancelled call, we may adjust your next invoice.

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