HC Deb 21 February 1991 vol 186 c261W
Mr. Allen

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what assistance is available from his Department to those whose income support level is inadequate to meet the costs charged by the residential or nursing homes for the care which is required.

Miss Widdecombe

The income support limits for various categories of residential and nursing home care represent the maximum amounts available. Any additional assistance—for example, that provided by relatives or charitable organisations—is, however, disregarded in the calculation of income support entitlement. Local authorities have powers to place people in private residential care homes and meet their fees in full, recouping from the resident an assessed amount towards the charge.