they are required. They will need to sign a contract with the council to confirm that they are able to do this.
resident, the home may seek to introduce one at a later date, which would need to be agreed first with the local authority.
If the additional payments stop being paid for any reason, then you should seek help and advice from your council. You may have to move to a cheaper home within the local authority’s funding levels.
This may happen if a change to your arrangements is made at your request or with your agreement. For example, if you move to a nicer room.
If you are already resident in a care home and no top-up was required at the time you became a
It is important to note that councils have a duty to offer you a place at a home that accepts their funding rates. If no such place is available, a top-up should not be charged.
Seeking financial advice Planning for your future care and support needs can be complicated and funding care can be expensive. Professional advice may be helpful in enabling you (and your family) to identify the most suitable and cost-effective solution. Everyone is encouraged to seek unbiased, expert advice from independent financial advisers to help work out how to pay for long-term care. Independent financial advisers are regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and must take shared responsibility for the suitability of any product they recommend. Unlike advisers who are tied to particular providers, specialist care-fees advisers can offer advice on products from across the whole market. A list of independent financial advisers who are accredited by the Society of Later Life Advisers can
be found at www.societyoflaterlifeadvisers.co.uk or you can call 0333 202 0454. There is also a number of organisations that will provide free advice about funding care and support. These are a good place to start if you are looking for information and want to see what sort of options are available. Age UK Tel: 0800 055 6112 Web: www.ageuk.org.uk/moneymatters Citizens Advice Web: www.citizensadvice.org.uk Money Advice Service Tel: 0800 138 7777 Web: www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk
Important information Finding care in your area Looking for care in your area? Want to know the quality rating of providers you’re considering? Care Choices, publisher of this Directory, has a website providing comprehensive details of care providers as well as essential information.
care providers that meet your needs across the country. Your search can be refined by the type of care you are looking for and the results can be sent to you by email. They can also be saved and emailed to others.
You can search by postcode, county or region for care homes, care homes with nursing and home
The website includes detailed information for each care provider, including the address, phone
44
Se a rch f or ca r e a t www. ca re c h o i c e s .c o .u k t o fi n d s u p p o r t i n y o u r are a
