§ Mr. RosindellTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the Government's policy towards top-up fees for patients in residential care homes. [90785]
§ Jacqui SmithWhen a local council supports individuals in care homes, it should provide and fund accommodation sufficient to meet resident's assessed needs. Residents should only contribute to care costs according to the National Assistance (Assessment of Resources) Regulations 1992 and neither they nor third parties should be asked to make top-up payments in addition to the resident's assessed contribution in order to meet assessed needs.
Furthermore, council supported residents may not top-up from their own resources for more expensive accommodation than the council would normally pay for to meet assessed need unless they have a deferred payment agreement or are subject to the 12-weeks property disregard.
897WOtherwise, a resident can still opt for more expensive accommodation as long as they have a third party such as a friend or a relative who is willing make up the difference on their behalf. In order to agree a third party top-up agreement the local council needs to be satisfied that the third party has sufficient resources in order to continue to make the additional contribution on behalf of the resident.