Personal budgets and direct payments

If you are eligible for adult social care funding, you can either ask the local authority to manage your budget and find the suitable care you need, or you can opt to receive a personal budget with direct payments of funds to yourself for you to make your own care arrangements.

A personal budget refers to the overall cost of care and support that your local authority has determined, through means testing, to be available to you. Direct payments are a funding choice in personal budgets, whereby you receive the payment to manage and organise your own care arrangements, whether that is in your own home or from moving into residential care.

Direct payments can be used to pay for care services, equipment or activities that meet your social care needs either from an individual or an organisation.

If you manage your own personal budget, you can choose the provider you wish to receive care from, whereas if the local authority manages your budget, you will be restricted to using a provider from their preferred list. Airmid Staffing can provide support to people who receive Personal Budgets.

You may also be entitled to other benefits such as:

Attendance allowance – if you are over 65 and need extra help to stay independent at home due to an illness or disability.

Personal Independence Payment – if you are aged 16-64 and need help with daily activities or getting around because of a long-term illness or disability.

For further advice, you can contact your local council or contact us if you have any questions.

Contact us