Individual Budgets

From April 2003 every local council must offer those who are eligible, money, instead of arranging services for them.

When a council gives someone money in this way, it is known as a direct payment.

The vast majority of people getting social services from the council have a right to direct payments. 

More specifically they are:

• Older people who have been assessed as needing community care services
• Disabled people aged 16 and over, including those with short as well as long term needs
• Carers, in place of receiving carers’ services
• Families with disabled children for children’s services
• Disabled parents for children’s services

Direct payments allow people to take more of the decisions which affect their lives. They give you more flexibility and choice, by enabling people of all ages to purchase care for themselves that better suits their individual needs.

If you receive direct payments, you can decide how your needs will be met, by whom and at what time. You are in control. You may make arrangements directly, so that staff you employ report directly to you. If you have a contract with an agency, the agency will be accountable to you and not the local council.

For more information on how we can help you with meeting your needs through direct payments, please contact Autism Sussex today.