Hertfordshire County Council was found to be in breach of the Care Act by failing to meet a woman’s eligible need to maintain a habitable home, the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman has found.
The Council reduced her personal budget following a reassessment in September 2018 that did not properly determine her eligibility by not considering her ability to maintain a habitable home as per the Care and Support (Eligibility) Regulations 2015.
The woman had been buying extra help to meet her needs using her savings, which the Ombudsman said indicated that the council had a more general practice of not meeting needs.
The woman has various medical conditions, including Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, is cared for in bed, and lives with her husband who is unable to care for her.
The Council said it was now taking the necessary action to comply with the recommendations.