Published: Thursday, 2nd October, 2008 11:00
Ex-miner hit by hike in Home Care cost
By Peter Swindon
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An ex-miner who was invalided out of the pit has been told his Home Care bill is to be hiked by more than £70 a week.
Before Fife Council changed the charging policy for social work services, Billy Montgomery, of Cowdenbeath, paid just £4 a week.
The 59-year-old, who was left disabled when he suffered two strokes in 1994, says he depends on Home Care, and the help of his sister, Margaret, “to have a life”.
“I’m disgusted and angry,” he told The Times. “I had no idea that it would be this much and I’m really shocked. There’s no way I can afford to pay this.
"How would these councillors feel if suddenly they had to find another £336 a month? It’s extortionate and there’s no way I’m going to pay it.”
Margaret added: "I'm still in a state of disbelief. There’s no name to describe Fife Council. It’s a scandal what they’re doing to people.
“There’s no way Billy will pay this. They’re robbing him of his pit pension that he worked so long and hard for and it’s not happening.”
Maureen Closs, who heads-up action group, Campaign Against Charges, said: “We think what’s happening to Billy is obscene. Billy is not rich – he’s on benefits and his pension.
“Unfortunately, Billy is not alone in his situation. The bills have started to come in all over Fife and people are stunned by their severity and their anxiety is how they’ll possibly manage.”
Fife Labour’s Social Work spokesman, Councillor Mark Hood, reiterated his condemnation of the council’s Home Care charging policy this week, describing it as “completely unacceptable”.
“I am now so concerned about the effect that this is having on vulnerable people in Fife I will be arranging a special surgery for people who have concerns about the charges. It’s important that no one is left on there own to worry about paying this bill,” he added.
Councillor Tim Brett, Chair of the Social Work & Health Committee said: “Mr Montgomery receives eight hours of home care a week. We are currently asking him to pay £77.65 for this service based on the information he provided about his disposable income. The disposable income figure we have used to calculate the care charges takes into account his income from a pension and disability living allowance, as well as living costs such as rent and council tax.”
He added: “We are available to meet with Mr Montgomery personally to reassess his finances, if he believes this is necessary, and discuss the charging calculations with him.”
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