Personal budgets for care and support

What is a Personal Budget?

A personal budget is the money that Adult Social Care at Newcastle City Council will pay towards your care and support. Having a personal budget can give you more control over your care and support.

The money in your personal budget can be paid to you. You can then decide how you spend it on your care and support. This is known as a direct payment.

When can you get a personal budget?

Speak to Adult Social Care at Newcastle City Council if you are finding it harder to manage at home. They give information and support adults in Newcastle who find day to day activities difficult. This could include community activities, moving around your home, cooking, washing, or caring for someone.

They will have a conversation with you to understand your situation. To find out what’s working well and where they can help. They can put you in touch with local services. If you need one they can arrange a Needs Assessment, to find out if the council can help you further. I

Some people are eligible for financial help from the Council. They can arrange a financial assessment with you to find out if you can get money to help pay for your care and support. If you can’t get financial help, they will tell you about services that could make your life easier.

What is eligibility?

The Care Act sets out the criteria to decide if you can receive support or money from Adult Social Care at Newcastle City Council.

It’s described as having ‘eligible care needs’ or that you are ‘eligible’ for support if you meet this criteria. This is decided when you have a Needs Assessment.

A financial assessment helps to understand if you are ‘eligible’ for financial support from Adult Social Care at Newcastle City Council.

Am I eligible for a Personal Budget?

To find out if you are eligible for a personal budget speak to Adult Social Care at Newcastle City Council. They will talk to you and find out more about:

what kind of care and support you need
how much you can afford to pay towards your care and support
if you are a carer, as you can also get support

If it’s decided that you have eligible care and support needs and you can get financial help from the council to pay towards your care and support. You will be told how much your Personal Budget is and if you need to pay towards your care and support. You can also choose to add money to your personal budget.

Different ways of managing your Personal Budget

You can manage your personal budget yourself or get support from a local organisation. Your options include:

Direct Payments can give you more independence and flexibility. You can receive the money and choose how your services are arranged and provided. You can choose a trusted person to manage your direct payment for you or use an organisation who can help you to manage your direct payment.

Disability North offer independent living advice and support. They can help you to employ a personal assistant, manage your personal budget and direct payments.

Individual Service Fund: This is where an extra care or assisted living housing provider can manage your personal budget for you

Newcastle City Council managed budget: The council can arrange your care for you using your budget

How much will my personal budget be?

Your budget is personal to you. The amount you receive depends on

the level of care and support you need
if you can afford to pay for some of the support yourself

Visit newcastle.gov.uk for more information on the cost of care.

What if I’m not eligible for help?

You can arrange your own care and support. There are organisations who can help you to plan and arrange your care.

Adult Social Care at Newcastle City Council can still give you free information and advice. You don’t have to have an assessment. They can put you in touch with local services who can help.

Disability North offer independent living advice and support. They can help you to employ a personal assistant, manage your personal budget and direct payments.

EAC HousingCare is a free housing and care advice service. They help older people make choices about their housing and care options. They have a free telephone and give online information and advice.

PayingForCare is a national information and advice service. They can help you understand how much you may need to pay towards your care.

If you’re not happy with the outcome of your needs assessment

Speak to your social worker or the person who you spoke to in Adult Social Care. You can ask to speak to their manager if this doesn’t help.

You can complain to Adult Social Care if you are still not happy.

Advocacy: help to get your voice heard

Advocacy is free, independent support to help you to get your voice heard. Advocacy services pair you up with an independent advocate who is on your side if you need support. Advocates can help people use NHS, housing and Adult Social Care services. They can:

help you to find information
talk things through with you to find out what you want
help you to understand your rights
support you to get your views across at appointments, meetings and assessments
use services if you are unable to do so by yourself

Moving from Children’s to Adult Social Care

Children’s Social Care supports families with children and young people under the age of 18. They work with families to make sure that children and young people are safe, healthy, and have the support they need to grow up happy and well. When you reach the age of 18, Social Care services are usually provided by Adult Social Care.

You will start the move to Adult Social Care between the age of 16 and 18. This is known as the transition from Children’s to Adult Services. There is not a set age to move to Adults Social Care. Everybody is different. It will happen at the time that is right for you. To help plan your move to Adult Social Care you will be offered a Transition Assessment, also known as a Needs Assessment.

Other Useful Information

Paying for Care and Support at home – Age UK’s factsheet
Paying for Long Term Care in England – a factsheet developed by various organisations and charities

Last updated: June 21, 2024