Find out how family and friends can pay extra fees for more expensive accommodation in a care home or nursing home.
A third party can be anyone you know, for example a friend or family member.
About third party top ups
If you’re getting a place in a care home through the council, you may have the option to choose one that costs more than we have allowed for.
The extra cost cannot be paid by you or us, but it can be paid by a friend or family member (also known as a third party).
This payment is called a third party top up. It gives you more options when you’re choosing your care home.
If you’re in a care home now but want to move to a more expensive one using a third party top up, speak to your social worker or call adult social care on 0113 222 4401.
What it can pay for
When your social worker helps you choose a care home, they will give you a list of accommodation that meets your care needs. Some options will be more expensive than others.
You might want to use a third party top up to pay for more expensive accommodation that:
- is near family or friends
- has a room that is larger or has a nicer view
- is where you feel most comfortable
This could be for:
- a permanent or long term move to a care home
- a temporary stay in a care home after leaving hospital
- if you are temporarily in a more expensive care home while waiting for another one to become available, but you decide you want to stay where you are
Third party top ups are only for extra accommodation costs, not for the cost of any extra care or support you get.
The accommodation you choose must be approved by the council by meeting certain conditions.
See the conditions
To get approval:
- the accommodation must meet the care needs your social worker identified in your assessment
- the council must be certain that the third party (your family member or friend) is willing and able to pay any extra costs of the accommodation
- the care home you choose must agree to a contract with the council and agree to provide you with accommodation under the council’s usual terms and conditions
How it works
First, you must have a
needs assessment and a
financial assessment to check that you qualify for a care home place through the council.
Next, your social worker will help you choose from one of the care homes that meets your needs.
Once you've chosen your care home and room
Decide the terms
Once the care home is chosen, you, your third party, and the care home must all have a talk to decide what the top up payment is for.
You must agree:
- how much it will cost
- how and when the payments will be made
- when the charges will be reviewed
It's important to remember that you, not the council, are responsible for any payments agreed with the care home.
Sign an agreement with the care home
Once agreed, the third party and the care home sign an agreement, which is then sent to the council for a final signature.
Give proof of funds and address
The third party will need to give evidence to the council to show that they can afford to pay the top up fees for as long as they are needed. This could be in the form of a
budget planner External link or a list of their monthly income and expenses.
The third party will also need to give the council a current council or utility bill, addressed to them. They must also inform the council and the care home if their home address changes.
Pay four weeks in advance
The third party will need to start paying their top up payments four weeks in advance. This is to allow time for the council to carry out the related admin.
Be aware of price increases
Top up payments may increase over time. For example when the care home increases their prices or if your care needs change.
If the care home changes the cost of the top up payment, it must inform the third party in writing by sending a Letter of Variation and give 30 days’ notice. During that time, they can refuse to accept the increase.
If we think the increase is unsustainable, we can review the suitability of the care home.
A third party top agreement is just between you and the care home, not the council.
If the third party can no longer pay
If the third party cannot afford to pay your top up payments, they must let us and the care home know right away.
Your care needs will be reassessed and you may have to:
- move to another room in the care home
- move to another care home with fees that are within the council’s budget
