PEOPLE struggling to pay for residential care will be able to borrow money from the council so they are not forced into selling their home should they reach crisis point.
The Deferred Payment Scheme has been approved by Barnsley Council cabinet members.
The idea behind bringing in the new legislation is that people should not have to sell their home in their lifetime in order to pay for their care.
Pauline Kimantas, chief executive officer at Age UK Barnsley, said having to sell your family home can have a devastating effect and no one should be rushed into such an important decision.
"Older people deserve to have peace of mind that they won't have to sell their home during their lifetime to fund their care."
By taking out a deferred payment agreement, a person can 'defer' or delay paying the costs of their care and support until a later date, so they don't have to sell their home.
** The full story appears in the Barnsley Chronicle newspaper, dated May 8. **
