Council and democracy

Self directed support - frequently asked questions

Are individual budgets the same as direct payments?
Individual budgets build upon the success of direct payments and, like direct payments, they are about giving individuals more choice and control over their support.

You can choose how to receive your care support package. It can be a cash direct payment, services commissioned by Adult Care Services or a mixed package combining both options. The new system should work for everyone and provide personalised care that fits your choices and your life.

Individual budgets will also introduce a fairer and more transparent system to allocate resources to meet your needs

Will an individual budget help me to achieve all of my ‘outcomes’?
Adult Care Services has to give priority to people with the greatest need. We use a national framework called Fair Access to Care Services (FACS) to decide which individuals are eligible for help and support from ACS. If your assessment shows that you are eligible for support, your individual budget will only focus on the social care help that you need to be able to manage in the way that you would like. (See link below called Do I qualify for help from Adult Care Services?)

Will I have to pay?
Most social care services are subject to a charging policy and need a financial assessment. How much you are asked to contribute towards your individual budget will depend on your individual circumstances. (See link below called Will I Have to Pay?)

What happens if I work? Will I still receive an individual budget?
If you work you will still be assessed to see whether your social care needs are such that you are eligible for help and support from ACS. If you are eligible, you will need to complete a financial assessment as above which will take into account all your financial circumstances in determining your individual budget.

Will it affect my benefits?
Receiving money for care and support will not affect your benefits. However, Adult Care Services will need to know about all benefits when completing the financial assessment.

If a benefit is awarded to you after you are granted an individual budget then Adult Care Services will reassess to take this into account.

What money can be included in an individual budget?
The money available can come from several sources including:
Adult Care Service funds
Independent living fund
Disabled facilities grant
Integrated community equipment services
Access to work

Will attendance allowance affect my individual budget?
As part of receiving an individual budget you will be financially assessed to work out what you can afford to pay. In this assessment all relevant income will be taken into account which includes the lower rate of Attendance Allowance and the lower and middle rate of Disability Living Allowance, from which all allowable expenses will be deducted. This will leave you with a maximum weekly assessed contribution which you will be required to make towards your individual budget.

How is the budget and spending monitored?
Once you have received your individual budget we will need to ensure that your support plan is meeting your social care needs and helping you meet your objectives. It will be very important that we carry out regular reviews to see how you are getting on.

If you have chosen to use direct payments to arrange your own support, we will check that your direct payment is being spent in a way that really addresses your needs and improves your quality of life.

You will also need to make regular returns to our finance department.

What happens if my needs change?
If your needs change the amount of your individual budget may change. You will need a re-assessment from Adult Care Services to see if you are eligible for increased resources if your needs increase. You care and support will also be reviewed annually and your individual budget could be reduced if your needs have reduced.

What happens if I do not spend all the money?
Adult Care Services should only allocate you the money you need to address the needs identified in your support plan. If you have more money than is required to meet your needs, Adult Care Services may ask for the excess money to be returned and/or adjust the direct payment you receive in future.