Understanding a support budget

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Find out more about support budgets (sometimes called individual budgets). Learn where you can get help to understand your support budget and work out how to spend it.

Changes to a support budget

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Find out what happens if your support budget changes, and where to get help with this.

What happens if you do not spend all your support budget?

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Sometimes you might not be able to spend all of your support budget. Find out what to do if this happens.

Paying towards your social care support (care charging)

Unlike healthcare which is free through the NHS, you may have to pay some money towards social care support. Find out when you might need to pay, and how it works.

Free personal and nursing care

Find out more about free personal and nursing care and how to get this through your council. Learn how you can choose how this support is provided.

Welfare benefits

Find out how Self-directed Support works if you are getting any welfare benefits.

Independent Living Fund

The Independent Living Fund provides funding support for disabled people in Scotland. Find out what help is available and how to apply.

Disclaimer

Please note that the information contained in this Handbook is provided for guidance purposes only. Every reasonable effort is made to make the information accurate and up to date, but no responsibility for its accuracy and correctness, or for any consequences of relying on it, is assumed by Self Directed Support Scotland or any other contributing party.

The information does not, and is not intended to, amount to legal advice. You are strongly advised to obtain specific, personal and professional advice from a lawyer about employment law matters, or an accountant/ tax specialist about taxation matters, and from HMRC and your insurers. You should not rely solely on the information in this Handbook. Support organisations listed in this Handbook can help you find appropriate sources of advice.