Hello. This is my first post here. My mum has dementia and has been in a care home for 2 years. She's been self funding but has just dropped below the financial threshold so will receive local authority support. I've agreed to fund the top up payments but only because I was told by her social worker that as I have power of attorney I can do what I need to with her money. Otherwise we couldn't afford it. Has anybody else been given similar advice?
3rd party top up fees and LPA
- Thread starter Sugarbird
- Start date
Hello @Sugarbird I’m glad you have started your own thread I hope TP can help!
I’ve attached this link I hope it will help
https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/get-s...ementia-together-magazine/third-party-top-ups
I’ve attached this link I hope it will help
https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/get-s...ementia-together-magazine/third-party-top-ups
Did the SW specifically say that you could use your mums money to pay for top-ups? Im afraid that its not true
I do wish that SWs would stop giving out dodgy financial advice about paying for care and what you can/cant do with a POA.
BTW - it is worth going back to your mums care home and asking about the top-ups.
When my mum went into her care home I was told that if she was self-funding for 2 years or more then when her money dipped below the threshold they would waive the top-ups. Actually she passed away before we got to that point, but it might be worth it to ask about your mums.
If they wont budge, then try going back to the LA and explain that you cant afford them. Stress that it would not be in your mums best interest to move her and see whether they will increase their budget.
I do wish that SWs would stop giving out dodgy financial advice about paying for care and what you can/cant do with a POA.
BTW - it is worth going back to your mums care home and asking about the top-ups.
When my mum went into her care home I was told that if she was self-funding for 2 years or more then when her money dipped below the threshold they would waive the top-ups. Actually she passed away before we got to that point, but it might be worth it to ask about your mums.
If they wont budge, then try going back to the LA and explain that you cant afford them. Stress that it would not be in your mums best interest to move her and see whether they will increase their budget.
hello @Sugarbird
a warm welcome from me too
I am a little confused by what the Social Worker has told you - any top-up payments are paid by the third party from their own finances not by the person in the care home from their savings - so in your situation, you will pay the top-up from your money, not using your mum's savings
being an Attorney doesn't mean you can do what you like with the donor's money, you have the responsibility to act in the donor's best financial interests and within any rules that apply in any given situation
maybe ask to speak with the financial department at the LA as the SW has given you incorrect advice
here's a link to the main AS site's info on paying for care, scroll down the page to the info on top-ups
https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/get-support/legal-financial/care-home-fees#content-start
a warm welcome from me too
I am a little confused by what the Social Worker has told you - any top-up payments are paid by the third party from their own finances not by the person in the care home from their savings - so in your situation, you will pay the top-up from your money, not using your mum's savings
being an Attorney doesn't mean you can do what you like with the donor's money, you have the responsibility to act in the donor's best financial interests and within any rules that apply in any given situation
maybe ask to speak with the financial department at the LA as the SW has given you incorrect advice
here's a link to the main AS site's info on paying for care, scroll down the page to the info on top-ups
https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/get-support/legal-financial/care-home-fees#content-start
Last edited:
That's very depressing. Yes I was told that I could use her money as I wished. The care home won't waive the top up fees. I will just have to see what I can do with the LA. Thank you for the feedback.
