Paying for residential care

Top up payments

If you choose a care home that costs more than we have allocated for your care, you or someone else will have to make extra payments to cover the shortfall. These are known as ‘top-ups’.

• third‑party top-up fees are paid by someone other than the resident. Such as a family member, friend or charity, when the chosen accommodation costs more than the standard amount covered.
• first‑party top‑ups are payments you can make yourself in limited circumstances. Allowing you to contribute extra towards your preferred accommodation.

It's important to get financial advice before agreeing to pay top-up fees and consider how price increases or changes in circumstances might impact the ability to pay. 

Third party top-ups

If you choose a care home which charges a higher fee than we would normally agree to pay. Then another person or organisation, other than yourself, will have to meet the difference. This is known as a ‘third party top-up’.

This can be done if you have someone else who is willing and able to pay the extra amount on your behalf.

You might want to use a third party top up to pay for more expensive accommodation that:

• is near family or friends
• has a room that is larger or has a nicer view
• is where you feel most comfortable

Please make sure if someone is agreeing to do this on your behalf, that the funds are available to meet this top-up for the foreseeable future. Otherwise your stay at that care home may be in danger if these additional payments are not maintained.

First party top-ups

First-party top-ups payments can be made by a care resident (not a third party) to cover the difference between the council's funded rate and a more expensive chosen home.

You can only make your own top-up payments in the following specific situations :

• when you first move into a care home and your property in subject to the 12-week disregard.
• when you have a deferred payment agreement in place.
• if your care home place is provided as 'after-care' under section 117 of the Mental Health Act 1983.
• if you are exempt from charges because you contracted CJD

What happens if payment of the top-up fee stops

If the person paying your top up (a first or third party) can no longer afford to make these payments they must let us and the care home know right away.

If this happens, we will reassess your care needs and look at the options available. Depending on the outcome, you may need to:

• move to another room in the care home
• move to another care home with fees that are within your budget
• undergo a review of your personal budget if the only accommodation that can meet your needs is above our expected costs