Managing social care debt
If you're struggling to pay for adult social care services, support is available. Lewisham council works with residents to manage payments while ensuring access to the care they need.
What happens if you have unpaid social care charges?
Your bill for social care services has been assessed based on your income, assets and certain outgoings. It has therefore been determined that you can afford to pay. (link to financial assessment)
If you receive a bill for social care services and are do not pay, the council follows a structured approach:
- Reminder notices – if payments are missed, reminder letters will be sent.
- Contacting you: the adult social care collections team may call or email you or appointed next of kin or lasting power of attorney.
- Financial review – the adult social care team may check if you are receiving the correct benefits and financial support. You can request a review of your financial assessment.
- Payment plans – if you have arrears, you may be able to set up a repayment plan if you pay your current bills in full.
- Home visit support – at your annual review the adult social care team will discuss any financial concerns and possible solutions.
- Debt recovery action – if payments remain unpaid, further recovery action may be taken, such as:
- enforcement agents – to help us collect the debt from you, they may add charges to this debt
- interest – apply interest charges to your unpaid invoices at the bank of england base rate plus 8%
- County court judgment (ccj) – this can affect your credit rating and your ability to get loans, credit cards, or mortgages. Legal costs and interest will be added
- third party debt order – prevents you from withdrawing money from your bank account until the debt is settled
- attachment of earnings – a request to your employer or private pension to pay us the debt directly
- charging order on property – prevents you from selling assets (e.g., property or land) until the debt is cleared. In some cases, the council may apply for forced sale of property.
If you are struggling to pay, please contact us as soon as possible – early support can prevent further action:
- Adult Social Care collections team 020 8314 6218, Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, 10am to 4pm, asccollections@lewisham.gov.uk.
Support for managing social care debt
Advice Lewisham
For free advice on debt, benefits, and money management, contact Advice Lewisham for telephone and face-to-face support. Tel: 0800 231 5453. Monday to Thursday, 9am to 12.30pm and 1.30-5pm.
Sail (Safe and Independent Living) Connections
If you are aged 60+ and need help managing bills or paperwork, Sail Connections provides free support. Tel: 020 7358 4077. Email: sailconnections@ageuklands.org.uk.
Money Helper
Free advice on debt, benefits, and money management use tools and guides: Money Helper.
Benefits and financial assistance
Make sure you're receiving all the benefits you are entitled to. You can check eligibility for:
- attendance allowance
- personal independence payment (PIP)
- disability-related benefits
- council tax reduction
Other financial support
Use the gov.uk benefits calculator to check your entitlements.
Managing finances for someone else
If you are looking after someone who struggles with managing their finances, it may be time to consider:
Applying for a lasting power of attorney (lpa) – to make financial decisions on their behalf
If you're looking after someone and informally helping them with their finances or they are going to need help with their finances in the future, it's time to consider applying for a lasting power of attorney for property and finance.
A lasting power off attorney can only be applied for when the person has mental capacity.
You can apply online or request the forms in the post In April 2025 the cost of making a lasting power of attorney is £82.
It's an affordable way to make sure you can continue to help if the person lacks mental capacity in the future,
Deputyship (court of protection) – if the person lacks mental capacity to manage finances themselves.
If the person has been assessed by an NHS professional or Adult Social Care as lacking mental capacity you will need to apply to the court of protection to manage their finances on their behalf.
The cost of a deputyship for property and finance in April 2025 is £371.
There may also be additional costs if the court requests a hearing and a security bond.
For more information, visit gov.uk - managing money for others.