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Managing your Personal Budget
If you are eligible for social care support following an assessment of your needs and finances and you require funded support services, you may be provided with a Personal Budget.
A Personal Budget allows you to influence how your assessed needs are met, and ensure they are met in a way which works for you and your approved support plan.
There are several ways you can receive and manage your Personal Budget.
Personal Budgets
Direct Payment
Individual Service Fund Council Managed Fund
Direct Payments
If you are eligible for the Council’s support with funding your care, you could have a Direct Payment. A Direct Payment is money from Shropshire Council which can be used in flexible and creative ways to support your wellbeing and help you live the life you want.
Employing your own support workers, known as Personal Assistants (see page 33), directly is only possible through a Direct Payment. However, Direct Payments can be used for several different support options tailored to you. They cannot be used for long-term residential care.
If you are applying for care and support from the Council for the first time, Direct Payments should be discussed with you, so you are aware of your options. You will need to make sure that you keep the right paperwork and evidence so you can stay on top of your spending in a clear and simple way. This helps the Council make sure that your needs are being met and helps to prove it is making the best use of public money to support people.
Direct Payments are paid directly into an account solely for this purpose and there is the option of a Just Credit Union Account, which can make accounting easier. When you have a Direct Payment, you will be paid an agreed amount of money towards the support you have chosen. If you are assessed to financially contribute towards your care, you will be required to pay your contribution into the same account.
Individual Service Funds
An Individual Service Fund is money paid on your behalf by Shropshire Council to a suitable support provider or care agency of your choice. If you are assessed as being able to contribute towards the cost of your care, the Council will send you an invoice for your contribution every four weeks.
As part of your support plan, you will decide and agree on how the support provider or care agency will deliver your care and support. Although the agency is paid a fixed amount to meet your support needs, you are in control of how your support is provided. Nothing is set in stone and you can always change your mind later on.
Council Managed Funds
The Council Managed Fund is similar to the Individual Service Fund but is not as flexible. Once your support plan has been agreed, the Council will work with you to choose the most suitable care package for your needs and will manage your care budget to ensure you receive the level of support you require.
For more information on organising your support in this way, visit www.shropshire.gov.uk/
