Adult Social Care Glossary, v 0.6

(1) This section applies where-- (a) a personal budget for an adult specifies an amount which the local authority must pay towards the cost of meeting the needs to which the personal budget relates, and (b) the adult requests the local authority to meet some or all of those needs by making payments to the adult or a person nominated by the adult. (2) If conditions 1 to 4 are met, the local authority must, subject to regulations under section 33, make the payments to which the request relates to the adult or nominated person. (3) A payment under this section is referred to in this Part as a 'direct payment'.

Payments made directly to someone in need of care and support by their local authority to allow the person greater choice and flexibility about how their care is delivered.

Money payment made to people who need care following an assessment, to help them buy their own care or support, and be in control of those services.

Money that is paid to you (or someone acting on your behalf) on a regular basis by your local council so you can arrange your own support, instead of receiving social care services arranged by the council. Direct payments are available to people who have been assessed as being eligible for council-funded social care. They are not yet available for residential care. This is one type of personal budget.