Updated guidance to Local Authorities on care fees

We welcome the news that the Department of Health has updated its guidance to Local Authorities, following the ruling in Walford v Worcestershire County Council. This case related to the circumstances in which the value of someone’s former home should not be taken into account in a care fees assessment, when that home is occupied either by a relative aged over 60, or by an incapacitated relative. The guidance confirms in particular (1) that the relative does not have to be living in the property permanently and (2) that the relative does not necessarily have to be living in the property on the actual date the owner moves into a care home. Nick Palmer is a solicitor at Barker Gotelee, Solicitors in Ipswich. Solicitors Ipswich Suffolk – for more information on our range of legal services, please contact us