Personal Budgets - Adults

A personal budget is an amount of money the local authority will pay towards any social care support for an individual need. The amount of money in the personal budget is decided after a needs assessment, to work out: 

• What kind of care and support is needed by the individual
• How much it will cost 
• How much the individual can afford themselves 

Carers may also be entitled to receive a personal budget after having a carer's assessment to see what might help make their life easier. A carer's assessment is free and anyone over the age of 18 can ask for one. 

If an individual is eligible for a personal budget they can choose to ask the local authority to either: 

• Manage the budget for them 
• Pay the money to another organisation such as a care provider 
• Pay the money directly to the individual or someone they choose - this is known as a direct payment
• Arrange a combination of the above 

For further informatin on Personal Budgets and Direct Payments click here.