We have proposed two options for retaining or reducing the current level of MIG. These are summarised below. (More detail is available via the link above).
Option 1 - Keep the Minimum Income Guarantee at the level it is now in Shropshire and increase the amount people pay towards their care in line with benefits increases.
Option 1 is what the Council have done for the last two years. It means that the Council take a part of the pension increase people receive but that they would still be left with a weekly amount which is higher than other people of working age who pay towards their care. For example, a single older person getting pension credit would have £7.17 more a week, and the amount they pay towards care would increase by £6.39, leaving them with 76p extra per week.
Couples would get £4.43 additional pension and the amount they pay for care would be £4.01 extra, leaving them with 42p more per week.
People would not see the benefit of pension increases because they will pay more for care and support. Option 1 would allow Shropshire Council around an extra £250,000 each year to help towards providing care and support to those who need it most.
Affected individuals with an income below the MIG will not be charged for their care.
Option 2 - Change the level of the Minimum Income Guarantee to the level set by the Government. This will mean people receiving care will have to pay a little more towards that care.
People affected by the changes would keep less of their money because more will go towards care. For example, a single person will have £4.74 a week less and a couple will have £3.35 a week less.
This option will mean people will have less income than option 1 but it would mean Shropshire Council will have an extra £467,000 each year to help towards providing care and support to those who need it most.
The Minimum Income Guarantee for people of working age is already set at the Government minimum level. Option 2 would mean people of pensionable age are treated in the same way as people of working age.
Affected individuals with an income below the MIG will not be charged for their care.
