The Deferred Payment Scheme is designed to help a person who is assessed as having to pay the full cost of residential care but they cannot afford to pay the full charge as their savings may be tied up in their home.

The Council is able to offer the person a loan through the scheme using their home as security. The Council will pay an agreed weekly part of the person's care and support for as long as necessary. The person will still need to pay the amount they have been assessed as able to afford.

A person may be eligible for deferred payment if they:

• are receiving care in a care home (or are going to move into a care home soon)
• own their own home which is included in their financial assessment (unless a partner or certain others still live in the home)
• have saving and investments of less than £23,250 (excluding the value of their home)

The Awards and Contribution team will contact the person to discuss further if they are eligible for the scheme. Practitioners should advise a person to seek independent financial advice as there are other options to pay for care.

Further information can be found in the deferred payments guidance.