Hi there, where my mother is concerned the LA pay the home direct and based on my mother's financial assessment she pays the balance. the Care home and the LA do charge a different fee ( it is not fair but it is price based on volumes) whereas an individual is an individual. The LA do not take your mother's pensions, do you have POA. The assess on her monthly income, such as private and person pensions and savings. if she has more than £23,00 in savings she pays for all her care. If she has less than £23,00 they work it out between the lower threshold of £14,250 and £23k. so the difference between is £8,750 divide this by £500 - 17.5 times - each £500 is scored as £1 of additional income per week. total monthly income of £70.00. Say she receives £600 a month pension, total income £670.00. The LA allows a personal allowance of £24.50 a week - total £98.00 month. Deduct £98.00 from monthly income -£572.00 used to pay for care. Divide by 4 - £143.00 total contribution per week by your mother to her care. You or her representative pay the care home direct. the LA pays the balance direct. Hope this helps.