Personal budgets

Information in British Sign Language about the personal budgets service.

 

 

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Video transcript

 

What is a Personal Budget?

A Personal Budget is money paid by us (Kent Adult Social Services) to you that you can use to arrange your own care and support.

Why are people being offered a Personal Budget?

Adult social care is changing. This is happening across England and not just in Kent. These changes will give you more freedom, choice and control over the type of care and support you want.  This is called Self Directed Support. 

Can anyone get a Personal Budget?

You will get a Personal Budget if, following a community care assessment of your needs and your financial position, you are eligible for support from us (certain support that Kent Adult Social Services provides, like Enablement Services, equipment and adaptations or residential care are not included in your Personal Budget). Before we can give you any money you need to complete a Support Plan.

What is a Support Plan?

Your Support Plan sets out what you need to achieve to lead as independent and fulfilling a life as you can. It will also outline the cost of any care and support that you need.  You can develop your Support Plan yourself, with the help of someone else, use an organisation to help you or we can help you.  The Support Plan shows how you intend to spend your Personal Budget to make sure you have the support you need.  When the Support Plan is finished it will need to be agreed by us before we release any money to you. 

What is an Estimated Personal Budget?

After you have had an assessment that shows you are eligible for support from us we will estimate your Personal Budget.  This estimate is the amount of money we think you will need to meet your care and support needs and is based on what it would cost for us to provide support to you.  It gives you an idea of how much money you may have to spend on your support.  When you have completed your Support Plan you will be issued with an Actual Personal Budget – this is the actual amount of money you will receive based on your agreed Support Plan and it may be more, or less, than your Estimated Personal Budget.

What can I spend my Personal Budget on?

Your Personal Budget must be spent on achieving the things we have agreed in your Support Plan.  Your Personal Budget cannot be spent on anything that is illegal or would endanger you or another person.

Is a Personal Budget taxable and will it affect any benefits that I might receive?

No. A Personal Budget does not count as income for tax or benefit purposes. A Personal Budget is specifically to pay for your care and support; it is not a loan.

What if I need help to manage my support or money?

If you think you need help to manage your support or the money a suitable organisation could help you, a family member or friend or Kent Adult Social Services.

What are the options for managing my Personal Budget?

Option One: Direct Personal Budget

You can have your Personal Budget sent direct to your bank account or to your ‘Kent Card’. This is called a Direct Payment. You can then manage this money yourself and organise, buy and manage your agreed support. 

Option Two: Administered Personal Budget

You can organise and manage your agreed support yourself but ask someone else to manage your Personal Budget money for you. This could be an organisation independent of Kent Adult Social Services or we can do it for you.
 

Option Three: Managed Personal Budget

We can organise, buy and manage your agreed support and manage the Personal Budget for you.

Option Four: Combination Personal Budget

You may choose to use a combination of the previous three options.  We can discuss this with you.

Further information online:

For leaflets, publications and information call our Contact Centre:

Tel:  0300 333 5433 (24 hours/7 days)
Text Relay: 18001 0300 333 5433 
Email social.services@kent.gov.uk

This factsheet is available in alternative formats and can be explained in a range of languages. Please call our Contact Centre: 0300 333 5433 (24 hours/7 days)