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What are care home top-up fees?
Throughout the UK, if you prefer a care home with costs that exceed the payments made by your local authority, you or a relative can make top-up payments, allowing you to select your own preferred provider, even if the associated costs exceed the local authority’s maximum contributions.
For example, you might prefer to choose a care home in a specific postcode to be near loved ones, even if it costs more than the funding available to you.
What is the process for topping-up care home fees?
Wherever you live in the UK, to find out whether you qualify for funding for care, you should first arrange a care needs assessment through your local authority (which may be called a local council or trust, depending on where you live).
If the care needs assessment recommends that care is needed, a further financial assessment will be arranged to see if the local authority will pay towards the care. If this is the case, the local authority will tell you how much they think your care home should cost (this is called your personal budget).
Questions about funding care?
Call us for your free consultation with one of our friendly UK care experts. If you need further support, our Care Concierge service is on hand to provide guidance on typical care costs, help you explore your funding and benefit options, or even negotiate care fees on your behalf.
Find out how Care Concierge can help you, or call now on freephone:
(Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm)
The local authority will show you at least one care home in your area that meets your needs and falls within your personal budget. However you are not obligated to accept this care home place.
If you have agreed to pay a top-up fee for someone else, you’ll be asked to sign a contract, preferably with the council who will then pay the care home. The local authority must be satisfied that you’re willing and able to pay the top-up fee for as long as it’s needed.
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Summary
What is a care home top-up fee?
If you choose a care home with costs that exceed the payments made by your local authority, you or a relative can make top-up payments, allowing you to select your own preferred provider, even if the associated costs exceed the local authority’s maximum contributions.
Who can make care home fee top-ups?
You, a friend, relative or charity can make a top-up payment to a care home. If you receive funding towards the cost of care, this allows you to select a care home that may cost more than the amount provided for by your local authority.
What happens if the cost of the care home increases?
Care home fees usually increase annually but the local authority may not increase its contribution proportionally, so be aware that the top-up fee could become disproportionately higher.
What happens if I can no longer afford to pay a top-up fee?
If you can’t afford to pay a top-up fee, you will need to contact your local authority for a new care needs assessment before making a decision about whether you will move to a more affordable care home.
Questions about funding care?
Call us for your free consultation with one of our friendly UK care experts. If you need further support, our Care Concierge service is on hand to provide guidance on typical care costs, help you explore your funding and benefit options, or even negotiate care fees on your behalf. Find out how Care Concierge can help you, or call us now on freephone:
0800 098 8299 (Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm)
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