FOI request (FOIR-760517962)

Deliberate deprivation of assets

Requested Tue 28 October 2025
Responded Wed 29 October 2025

This request is regarding councils deeming that a person has partaken in a deliberate deprivation of assets.

This is the process in which the council decides if someone has deliberately given away or disposed of some or all of their savings, other capital assets, or income, to reduce the amount of their assessed care and support charge.

I would be keen to get answers and information for the following questions:

1. Could you please provide me with the total number of instances where your council has deemed that someone has carried out a ‘deliberate deprivation of assets’? Could you please break these down by year 2022/23, 2023/24, 2024/25, and 2025/26 so far?

2. Could you please provide me with the total amount in cash terms that people have had to pay towards care costs after being deemed to have partaken in a deliberate deprivation of assets? Could you please break these down by year 2022/23, 2023/24, 2024/25, and 2025/26 so far?

3. Could you please give me the number of times that the council has had to recover debts from a third party after finding that a ‘deliberate deprivation of assets' has taken place? Could you please break these down by year 2022/23, 2023/24, 2024/25, and 2025/26 so far?

4. Could you provide me with the number of times complaints have been raised with the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman from people who have been accused by the council of carrying out a deliberate deprivation of assets? Could you provide me with the number of times the ombudsman has upheld the claimant's claim?

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Response

Information not held.

All aspects of care are dealt with by East Sussex County Council Adult Social Care, please visit their website for further information:

https://www.eastsussex.gov.uk