Ask our Advisers - What is a Top-up?

Each local authority has an amount which they will pay for a given care need. This might be an hourly rate for home care or a weekly fee for residential care. Not all care providers will accept this rate as they argue it does not meet the cost of delivering care services. As a result, some will only accept state funded residents if a top-up payment is made.

Many families may be unable to afford such a payment and some homes are criticised for making this extra charge. Others argue that that top up charges are needed as a direct result of local authorities paying too little for care services

Regardless of this, it is important to discuss the position with the care home before the person moves into the home so the current and longer-term funding position is clearly understood. It is also not unusual for new residents to be asked to confirm a minimum of two years self-funding capacity.