Deferred Payment Agreements (DPA)

The Care Act 2014 introduced a national Deferred Payment Agreement (DPA) to support the payment of your residential care costs. 

A Deferred Payment Agreement assists when you are unable to pay for your residential care as your capital is tied up in property. A legal charge is placed on the property to protect the Council’s interest for payment of your care fees.

You will still need to use most of your income to pay care home fees. We will pay part of the fees that you cannot afford until you sell your home.

If eligible, we will help to pay your care home bills on your behalf. You can delay repaying us until you choose to sell your home, or until after your death.

Interest will be charged on the amount owed and there may be a fee for setting up this arrangement. This is to cover the costs we incur in setting up your deferred payment agreement.

You should be eligible for a DPA if:

• You are receiving care in a care home, or you are going to move into one soon.
• You own your home, unless your partner or other qualifying relatives are living in the property.   
• You have savings and investments of less than £23,250 (not including the value of your home).

 We can refuse an application if:

• A legal charge cannot be placed on your property to safeguard the Council’s interest, for example having unregistered property or an unpaid mortgage.
• You do not have the mental capacity to agree, or have someone properly authorised (for example, with legal power of attorney or a court appointed deputy) who can represent you.
• You do not accept our terms and conditions.