THOUSANDS of people in south Essex and across the country who get care in their homes could have their property sold after they die to pay for it.

Under arrangements introduced in 2015, people living in residential care can ask their local authority to meet their care home bills with the money to be recovered from the later sale of the family home.

The Conservatives are now proposing to extend the arrangements to cover thousands of people receiving care in their own homes – with the costs to be clawed back after they die.

Information revealed from a Freedom of Information request reveal that while some councils have been reluctant to use the policy, Essex County Council has entered into the agreement with residents 208 times – the second highest in the country.

Pat Burns, 56, from Laindon, looks after her mum, but knows that one day, she won’t be able to do it on her own. She said: “Mum is still quite independent, she can live on her own and and look after herself, we just check in on her - to make sure everything is fine.

“My husband and I still work full-time so I know that at some point, we will need to get her some extra help.

“Mum has lived in her home since she was young, and I grew up there and I would hate the thought of her not been able to live there.

“I think the idea is quite good - there are a lot of families who can’t afford care at home and it can create a lot of stress.

“Knowing that there is a chance that if it came to it, the council would help and we could deal with it at a later time, it just takes the pressure off.”

John Spence, councillor for Adults and Public Health, said: “We have a well-established approach to implementing Deferred Payment Agreements with appropriate advice and guidance about them. We believe that it is right that people who do not want to sell their home to fund their residential care costs during their lifetimes should have that option.”