Direct payments

Direct payments from our social care and health services are different from the Department of Work and Pensions’ Direct Payments, which are about having welfare benefits, and retirement pensions paid into individuals’ bank accounts.

We are introducing changes to transform and modernise the way we deliver adult social care services and are introducing a self-directed support process and personal budgets.

Personal budget

A personal budget is the amount of money given to you by the Council to meet your assessed care needs. You use the money to buy the support you need.

The money can be paid to you direct (this is known as a direct payment), or to someone who can help look after it for you (like a Trust or an independent organisation). If you prefer, your care manager can use your personal budget to arrange services of your choice or you can have a mix of the two.

More information is available on our direct payments and personal budgets and putting people first pages.

If you would like to find out more about personal budgets or direct payments and already receive a Council Service then talk to your Care Manager.

If you do not have a Care Manager but feel that you might be entitled to support from Adult Social Care, call our Contact Centre on 01752 668000 who can arrange for an assessment of your needs to be carried out.