Additional Cost in relation to a Care Home Placement

It is important to be aware that not all care homes charge the same rate for a care home placement. Every year Carmarthenshire County Council meets with representatives from the care homes in Carmarthenshire to agree a standard rate for Council arranged care home placements.

There are four different standard rates depending on the type of care a person needs. A number of care homes will accept the council’s standard contract rate, whereas others will want to charge more. If the care home is not in Carmarthenshire, Carmarthenshire County Council will pay the care home the standard contract rate which is applicable to that area.

If Carmarthenshire County Council cannot offer you a placement at two care homes at its standard rate, then whichever one you choose out of the two homes offered, you will only be charged up to the standard rate for the type of care you need (i.e. there will not be an Additional Cost charged) 

However, the actual amount that you will contribute to the cost of the care home will be determined by a financial assessment. 

If you want to go to a different care home to the two we have offered you, then you can go anywhere in Wales, England, Northern Ireland, or Scotland. However, if the care home that you have chosen charges more than that area’s standard rate, then an additional cost applies.

It is important to note that if there is an additional cost, usually someone other than yourself will have to pay this. This amount is on top of what you are financially assessed to contribute towards the cost of your care home placement. 

If Carmarthenshire County Council is contracting for your care home placement and it is more expensive that the two offered and more expensive than the standard rate, Carmarthenshire County Council will contract with the care home for the entire cost of the placement, including the additional cost amount. 

However, you will need to identify someone who is willing  and able to pay the additional cost referred to above. That person needs to understand that they will be obliged to pay that additional cost for as long as you are in the care home. As a result, Carmarthenshire County Council will want to see evidence that this person can afford to pay the additional cost.

They will also be required to sign a legally binding contract with the council confirming that they will pay this amount. The person you identify, or any of your family should never be asked by the care home to pay the additional cost directly to them.

It is also important to note that care homes regularly change their care home fees and thus the council’s standard rate can change. If this rate changes it may mean that the additional cost increases and therefore the person paying this amount needs to be aware of this.

We will initially look to pursue the debt due from the person, through our debt management process, which could ultimately result in court action.

In addition, if the additional cost is not being paid the council will look at making alternative cheaper arrangements, which could include you having to move to a cheaper care home.

Financial charging is complicated and therefore if you have any queries, please speak to the social work staff member dealing with you, or our Financial Assessment Team

by phone: 01267 228769 / 01267 228943

by E-mail: SCHfinancialassess@carmarthenshire.gov.uk