Help with care home costs

Find out when you’ll get a decision and what to do while you’re waiting. 

Waiting for a decision 

Your care needs assessment will say what care you need and when you need it. This means you might need to move into a care home before we make a decision about your financial assessment. 

When your financial assessment is complete, it will show how much you need to pay towards the cost of your care.

Getting a decision

We will write to you within 2 weeks of your financial assessment to let you know the result. The letter will tell you how much you’ll pay each week and a full breakdown of costs.

We will review the amount you pay each year.

If your financial circumstances change, you must let us know. We may need to complete a new financial assessment or review your benefits entitlement.

Care home options 

We negotiate and agree on a special rate for the cost of your care. This is the maximum amount that the council will pay for your care home fees.

We will find a care home that meets your needs and talk to you about your options.

If you choose a care home that is more expensive than agreed with us, you can ask friends or family members to pay the difference. This is called a Third Party top-up fee. 

Bills and payments

We will send you bills for the care you receive by post or email. This will be for the amount your assessment says you can afford. 

You will be billed every 4 weeks. 

If your financial assessment says that you do not need to pay anything towards your care, you will not receive a bill. 

If you have a question about a bill or invoice you can phone us on 0208 547 5585 or email accounts.receivable@kingston.gov.uk.