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Third party top up fees

(3 Posts)
Lisagran Mon 08-Apr-19 19:22:40

Has anyone recent experience or knowledge of the “Third party top up fees” system of social care provision for the elderly? MIL (97) is to be assessed financially and for her care needs shortly and we, as a family, are confused re the funding issues. I’m sure the assessor will clarify, but would like to be a bit clearer about it asap. TIA

M0nica Mon 08-Apr-19 20:01:31

local Authorities decide what level of fees they are prepared to pay for a fully resident in care. These are generally well below an economic level for the care sector and will only get you into a very limited of number of care homes.

The LAs use this to blackmail you into paying a top-up fees to enable your family member to go into a home that you think more suitable or that is more convenient. They may well offer you a care home that is unsuitable, to jockey you into agreeing to paying top up fees.

Age UK have a fact sheet about going in to care including discussing top up fees. The link to it is:
www.ageuk.org.uk/globalassets/age-uk/documents/information-guides/ageukig06_care_homes_inf.pdf

Lisagran Mon 08-Apr-19 21:15:48

Ah, thanks, MOnica, that’s helpful