Individual Budgets

Disabled people can choose to take an individual budget as a direct payment and buy their own services, or have the services that the local council offer or to have a mixture of both.

Thirteen English local authorities piloted individual budgets from April 2006 to December 07. A report will be available in spring 2008.

Background to individual budgets

The commitment to pilot Individual Budgets was made in the following documents:

• Improving the Life Chances of Disabled People (Strategy Unit, January 05)
• Opportunity Age (DWP, March 05)
• Independence, Well-being and Choice (DH, March 05) and followed in Our Health, Our Care, Our Say (DH, January 06)

The Office for Disability Issues works with the Department of Health, Department for Work and Pensions and Communities and Local Government.

The funding streams included in this project cover disability equipment and adaptations, adult social care services, Supporting People funding, the Independent Living Fund and Access to Work.

Read more about Individual Budgets on the Care Services Improvement Partnership site, and in the Policy and guidance section of the Department of Health website.