Version: 3
Last Amended: 31 March 2023
Next Review Date: 31 March 2024
The current priority for ILF Scotland is to maintain the existing levels of support it provides to recipients. In some circumstances, however, we may be able to increase our funding to ensure support can continue effectively. This policy details the circumstances where ILF Scotland can consider an increase in an award to ensure support arrangements remain stable.
In almost all circumstances, ILF Scotland can only consider increasing funding where there is scope to do so within the relevant ‘maximum sum’, with the exception of those increases set out in Policy 20 ILF Scotland Payments.
At all times the priority of ILF Scotland is to sustain and enhance the independent living of our fund recipients.
ILF Scotland does not award routine inflationary increases and does not normally consider any increase to an award or bring forward any scheduled review to seek an increase to an award, unless there is a significant change in circumstanced as detailed in paragraph 6 below.
ILF Scotland aims to carry out funding reviews approximately every two years to make sure that the support it provides continues to sustain the recipient’s independent living outcomes. The normal assumption is that the current funding offer is sustainable by the recipient/award manager between these scheduled two yearly reviews.
Where ILF Scotland payments previously matched the Direct Payment, we can increase funding to match an increased direct payment rate. If this is not the case, an ILF Scotland Assessor can recommend that payments match this rate providing they can explain why this is necessary. If the direct payment rate is no longer appropriate, ILF Scotland will calculate employment related on-costs separately based on the actual hourly rate paid.
ILF Scotland may consider funding an increase in costs due to the need to change a care provider because of circumstances beyond the recipient’s control. ILF Scotland can consider such an increase outside the normal review period and will decide if a visit from an Assessor is necessary. This will not apply where a recipient decides to change to a more expensive provider without proper justification.
ILF Scotland does not normally consider funding the cost of additional support. However, an ILF Scotland Assessor may recommend an increase, following a visit, where there is a significant change of circumstances and the existing package of support is no longer suitable for the recipient’s needs, as set out in paragraph 6, below.
For Group 2 recipients, the Health & Social Care Partnership (HSCP) in Scotland or the Health and Social Care Trust (HSCT) in Northern Ireland must at least meet the relevant threshold sum, as determined by ILF Scotland, before we can consider funding additional funding support. ILF Scotland will not pay for support previously funded by the HSCP / HSCT.
ILF Scotland can consider increases in the level of award in the following circumstances:
In addition, ILF Scotland may consider arranging an out of cycle Review visit on an exceptional basis to consider the need for additional support and an increased award in the following circumstances:
ILF Scotland will only approve an increase for a recipient with jointly funded ILF / HSCP / HSCT support if it is satisfied that the level of statutory input is appropriate and balanced. Group 1 excepted, ILF Scotland should not be the primary funder of care and support, and our funding should always provide for additional independent living outcomes over and above the statutory responsibilities of the HSCP/Trust to meet assessed eligible need.
We will not usually support increases where:
ILF Scotland is committed to supporting recipients who directly employ their own Personal Assistants to be responsible employers (see Employer Support Information Note). ILF Scotland can consider requests relating to the following statutory or essential employment costs without the requirement of an Assessor visit:
ILF Scotland will honour requests for Holiday Awards in situations where we previously made an offer towards funding this, regardless of whether it is a holiday for the recipient or respite for the carer. Where we previously paid a Holiday Awards as a lump sum, we will continue to pay this providing it is part of an ongoing package of support.
ILF Scotland can consider a request for an increase in the cost of holiday support if they relate to statutory increases or a significant change of circumstances.
Policy 4 Available Income
Policy 20 ILF Scotland Payments
Policy 24 Statutory Support
Employer Support Information Note
Version 1: 1 July 2015
Version 2: 22 March 2021
Date Last Reviewed: 31 March 2023
