What is a third party contribution?

A third party contribution is a weekly sum paid by a person or an organisation towards the cost of keeping someone in a nursing home or a residential care home under arrangements agreed with the home, the Adult Social Services and Housing department and the resident.
When and why is a third party contribution needed?

A third party contribution is only needed when the fees of the home are greater than the price the Adult Social Services and Housing department is prepared to pay.  Many homes change the prices which are the same as the price the department is prepared to pay.  However, some homes, perhaps because of the additional facilities they provide, or the area in which the home is situated, choose to charge more.

The resident does not have to choose a home that is more expensive than the department is prepared to pay for, but if he or she does, he or she will have to find someone, such as a relative, to make up the difference.  The person who makes up the difference is called the “third party”.

To whom is the third party contribution paid?

In most cases the residents pay their contribution direct to the home owner or manager.  That means that, in most cases, the third party contribution will also be paid direct to the home owner or manager.  However, the frequency and method of payment will be for the third party and the home owner or manager to decide between themselves.

However, if the resident pays his or her contribution direct to the Adult Social Services and Housing department, the third party will also pay his or her contribution direct to the department.

How often is the third party contribution reviewed?

The amount paid by the third party will be reviewed at least annually, as prices go up with inflation.  However, the level of the contribution could change more often if the resident’s circumstances change and affect the level of his or her needs.

The amount payable by the third party is notified by the Social Services Finance Section to the home, service user and the third party.

What happens if the third party stops paying his or her contributions?

If the third party stops paying their contribution, the home will immediately notify the Adult Social Services and Housing department.

The department is not obliged to maintain the person in the more expensive home if the third party contributions are not paid, and it will arrange to move the resident to a home whose fees are the same or lower than the price that the department is prepared to pay.




What is the responsibility of the Adult Social Services and Housing department in all this?

Under the Department of Health “Care in the Community” guidelines, the Adult Social Services and Housing department is required to assure itself that the third party will be able to pay their contribution as long as the resident stays in the home.

The Adult Social Services and Housing department has no power to ask anyone about their finances apart from the prospective resident.  However, we ask you to read this leaflet and to talk about the implications of making these payments with a Care Manager or any other adviser.

We also ask that you sign the slip below as a record that you have read this leaflet and understood its contents.

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Third Party Declaration

I, ______________________ (name of third party) of _________________________________

_____________________________________(address) have read this information and have

understood it.  In particular, I understand that if I agree to contribute towards the cost of the fees for

________________________ (name of resident) at_____________________________________

(name of home) and cease making payments _________________________ (name of resident)

may have to be moved from ______________________________ (name of home) to another home.

I also understand that North Somerset Council will pursue me for recovery of these fees in the event of

non-payment.

Signed _________________________________  Dated ___/___/___

Please detach this information and hand it to the Care Manager


This publication is available in large print, Braille or audio formats on request.
Help is also available for people who require council information in languages other than English. Please contact 01275 882181.