If you have had an assessment and have unmet eligible care and support needs  we will work with you to agree on how your needs can best be met. We then create a care and support plan with you to help you live as independently as possible. We then work out the cost of the care and support you need.

Once we have agreed with you how we can support you to achieve the things that are important to you, we will agree with you the amount of money that we think this will cost. We will then do a financial assessment (or means test) to work out what (if anything) you have to pay towards the cost of your care and support.

Depending on your financial circumstances, we may do one of the following:
-pay some of the cost and you make up the rest
-pay for all of the cost
-agree that you have to pay the full cost of your care. Find out more about paying for care and support.

If we have agreed to pay for all or some of your care, you will get a personal budget. You can use this to choose the kind of support that suits you best and remain as independent as possible. You might choose for your care and support to be arranged by one of the organisations we work with who provide this kind of support, or you can arrange it yourself using a direct payment. 

If you are paying for the full cost of your care, we can still give you free information and advice about care and support.

Well Aware

Wellbeing Options supports people in Bath and North East Somerset to live full and independent lives. Here you will find information about local care providers, services and activities, along with links to other useful websites and resources

 

What is a personal budget?

A personal budget is a statement which sets out:

1.    the cost to the council of meeting your needs
2.    the amount which you have been financially assessed as having to pay
3.    the amount the council must pay

 You can choose to leave this money with us and we will arrange the support you need. Or, you can have the money paid direct to you as a direct payment or to a trusted person or organisation. Either way you will make a care and support plan about how you want to use it to ‘buy’ services or employ your own support worker(s).

The aim of a personal budget is to help you get the support that suits you best to:

    • Have the information you need, when you need it.
    • Keep friends, family and place
    • Have your support your own way
    • Feel in control and safe*

*Adapted from the Making it Real markers for change

You will be able to discuss your care and support plan with a trained professional to make sure the support you get is right for you. Your care and support plan will be reviewed at least once a year.

What is a direct payment?

Direct payments are monetary payments made to people who request to receive one to meet some or all of their eligible care and support needs. Once the Council decides how much money you need, you will be supported to develop a care and support plan. This will set out exactly what support you want to meet your needs. You can use your direct payment to ‘buy’ services or employ workers. The aim of a direct payment is to help you get the support that suits you best to:

      • Have the information you need, when you need it.
      • Keep friends, family and place
      • Have your support your own way
      • Feel in control and safe*

*Adapted from the Making it Real markers for change

You will be able to discuss your care and support plan with a trained professional to make sure the support you get is right for you. You will then need to sign a direct payment agreement with the council. Your support plan will be reviewed at least once a year. To find out more about Direct Payments, contact the Direct Payment Hub on 0300 2470203

 

 

     

      How can I find out if I am eligible for a personal budget from the Council

      If you want to find out if you are eligible for a personal budget, find out how to get information about care and support.

       

      What can I spend my personal budget on?

      When you put together your care and support plan, you will discuss with your worker how you want to be supported to achieve the things that are important to you. Your personal budget can be used to support you in a wide range of things, including:

      What am I not allowed to spend my personal budget on?

      You are not allowed to spend your money on anything outside your agreed care and support plan. If you are not sure, talk to anyone involved in your care. For example, you must not spend it on:

      Cigarettes, alcohol, sweets, food, clothes, household bills, gambling.

      You are also not allowed to spend the money things that are illegal. If you do spend your money on something you should not, you will be asked to repay it. 

      Do I have to use the service suggested to me, or can I choose my own?

      If you are getting some Council funding (as part of your personal budget)  to pay for a specific service e.g. a care home, we will work with you to make sure that whatever support you get meets your needs. If you choose to take a direct payment, you could employ your own staff to work for you.

      There is support available to you if you choose this option, both from services operating within Bath and North East Somerset, including the Direct Payment Hub (0300 2470203) and also from Skills for Care who have developed an information hub about this.

      Managing your direct payment

      If you choose a direct payment you can use the money to pay for the care and support identified in your plan. The Direct Payment Hub (0300 2470203) can give you information and advice to help you manage your Direct Payment

      We can help you manage the payment and get you started if you need help with this, or you can do it yourself, or ask another organisation to help with this. Currently, you cannot use a direct payment for residential and nursing care apart from respite.

      You (or your nominated relative or friend) will need to:

        • Choose and set up the care and support
        • Pay for the care and support
        • Keep track of how you are spending your direct payment
        • Show the Council regularly how you are spending your money

       

      What happens if my needs change?

      Talk to anyone involved in caring for and supporting you so that they can help you.

       

      Where can I get help?

      If you have a question about your personal budget or direct payment, contact 0300247 0201 (press option 2) or the Direct Payment Hub (0300 2470203)

      If you would like some support with responsibilities you may have as an employer, take a look at the Skills for Care Information Hub which has information and advice for both employers and PAs.

      If you’re employing someone, you may need to enroll them in a workplace pension. The Pensions Regulator has a ‘duties checker’ web page which helps you to understand what to do and by when.

      If you are struggling with day to day life and have not yet talked to someone about it, find out how to get information about care and support.

      Well Aware

      Wellbeing Options supports people in Bath and North East Somerset to live full and independent lives. Here you will find information about local care providers, services and activities, along with links to other useful websites and resources