Top up payments

If you have decided to move into a residential home or nursing home which is more expensive than the cost agreed by Solihull Council, you may be able to ‘top up’ the difference. 

How it works

First, you must have a needs assessment to check that you are eligible for a residential home or nursing home place through the Council. 

You will then be given a personal budget which will tell you the amount it will cost to meet your care needs. This includes the amount you will need to contribute to the cost of your care. 

You can only pay a top up yourself (first party) in very limited circumstances including: 

• if you are subject to a 12-week property disregard (this means we will not include your home in your financial assessment for the first 12 weeks of your care)
• if you have entered into a deferred payment agreement with the Council
• if you are receiving free housing support after being discharged from hospital for a mental health condition 

Top up payments must be paid in addition to what you pay for any care you receive.

Choice of accommodation 

The Council will identify at least one accommodation option that is within your personal budget. However, you can choose to live somewhere that costs more if you wish. 

If you choose to move into a residential home or nursing home that costs more than what your personal budget will cover, you will need to pay the difference. This is called a top up payment and can be paid by yourself or a third party, such as a friend, relative or charity. 

To use third party top up payments, the person or organisation contributing to your care will need to agree a contract with Solihull Council. 

Important considerations

If you are considering using third party top up payments, it’s important to bear in mind that: 

• the third party may need to provide evidence that they have enough funds to cover the cost of at least three years of the required top up amount
• the top up amount may increase
• if the third party can no longer afford the top up payments, you may have to move to another room or accommodation that is within your personal budget 

Our Choice of Accommodation and Top-ups information leaflet provides further information.