Deferred payments are for homeowners who have less than £23,250 (not including the value of their home) and are moving permanently into residential care but do not want to sell their home or cannot afford to pay the full cost of their care until their property has been sold.

Joining the scheme

To apply for this scheme, you must:

• have been assessed by Adult Social Care and told that you need residential care
• be eligible for funding
• be the legal owner of the property
• allow us to put a first charge on your property
• provide details of the insurance of your property
• pay a weekly contribution based on an assessment of your income and assets

For the first 12 weeks of your stay in residential care your property may be disregarded. After this period, the Deferred Payment arrangement starts.

The money we give you to cover your care must be repaid when your property is sold, when you end the agreement or within 90 days of your death.

How to apply

If you want to apply for a deferred payment, discuss it with your care manager or social worker, who will give you further details about the scheme.

We strongly recommend you obtain independent financial advice before entering this scheme.

If you decide to go ahead, your care manager or social worker will to arrange a financial assessment.