Introduction to paying for care in Buckinghamshire

A deferred payment agreement (DPA) is an arrangement with the Council that allows you to delay paying the full costs of your care home fees. Instead of selling your home immediately to cover the costs, you can “defer” the payments and repay the Council later, typically when your home is sold.

Deferring payments can be helpful, but it is important to be aware of:

• long-term financial implications, such as interest and fees
• and the market conditions if you plan to sell your property in the future.

You may be eligible for a deferred payment agreement if:

• you are moving into a care home permanently
• you own a property that is included in your financial assessment
• your savings and assets (excluding the property) are below the current capital limits set by the government
• the Council considers that your property is sufficient security for the agreement

1. The Council will place a legal charge on your property, like a mortgage
2. The Council will cover the shortfall between your income and the cost of the care home. You can choose to defer the entire cost or part of it.
3. Interest may be charged on the amount deferred, and administrative fees may apply. These costs will be added to the total amount deferred.
4. The deferred amount is typically repaid when your property is sold or from your estate after your passing.