Disabled don't pay

The payment is worked out on a sliding scale and the maximum charge will apply only to a minority of people whose financial assessment shows that they have sufficient funds to pay the charge.

Many people on limited means, such as those on benefits, will continue to receive the services free of charge.

The Government's fairer charging legislation has been set up to be inclusive, transparent and above all, equitable. Older people, people with physical disabilities, and people with mental health needs are subject to financial assessment regarding day care services.

In the interests of equity with these groups, it has been decided that people with learning disabilities should also be assessed for their ability to pay. Now all groups receiving home care and attending day centres will be treated equally and charged according to their means.

Many of those to be assessed will fall within the low income bracket which excludes them from charges anyway. Many of the 280 people attending learning disability day services are in residential care and so would not need to be assessed as their day services are already included in their accommodation charges.

As of this time, only 156 people would require assessment. Meanwhile, since last April some 270 people have been helped by our staff to claim additional benefits as a result of the fairer charging financial assessments.

Future assessments should lead to unclaimed benefits being identified and a fairer outcome for all of our service users.

I was intrigued by James Lancaster's article (The Argus, March 25) that suggested that this city was on the verge of becoming an Ideopolis, a cute phrase dreamt up by an academic.

It is true that Brighton has become very affluent in parts as the new wealth from London has descended on this trendy resort.

But for those of us in low paid employment, unable to capitalise on the house price boom, this rosy picture seems completely bewildering.

-Charles Townley, Brighton