{"id":3124,"date":"2024-03-23T20:17:39","date_gmt":"2024-03-23T20:17:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/handbook.scot\/sds-handbook\/?post_type=article&#038;p=3124"},"modified":"2025-07-23T11:07:48","modified_gmt":"2025-07-23T11:07:48","slug":"understanding-a-support-budget","status":"publish","type":"article","link":"https:\/\/handbook.scot\/sds-handbook\/article\/understanding-a-support-budget\/","title":{"rendered":"Understanding a support budget"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div data-mode=\"normal\" data-oembed=\"1\" data-provider=\"youtube\" id=\"arve-youtube-tved-9ejtnc\" style=\"max-width:900px;\" class=\"arve\">\n\t<div class=\"arve-inner\">\n\t\t<div style=\"aspect-ratio:500\/281\" class=\"arve-embed arve-embed--has-aspect-ratio\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"arve-ar\" style=\"padding-top:56.200000%\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t<iframe allow=\"accelerometer &apos;none&apos;;autoplay &apos;none&apos;;bluetooth &apos;none&apos;;browsing-topics &apos;none&apos;;camera &apos;none&apos;;clipboard-read &apos;none&apos;;clipboard-write;display-capture &apos;none&apos;;encrypted-media &apos;none&apos;;gamepad &apos;none&apos;;geolocation &apos;none&apos;;gyroscope &apos;none&apos;;hid &apos;none&apos;;identity-credentials-get &apos;none&apos;;idle-detection &apos;none&apos;;keyboard-map &apos;none&apos;;local-fonts;magnetometer &apos;none&apos;;microphone &apos;none&apos;;midi &apos;none&apos;;otp-credentials &apos;none&apos;;payment &apos;none&apos;;picture-in-picture;publickey-credentials-create &apos;none&apos;;publickey-credentials-get &apos;none&apos;;screen-wake-lock &apos;none&apos;;serial &apos;none&apos;;summarizer &apos;none&apos;;sync-xhr;usb &apos;none&apos;;web-share;window-management &apos;none&apos;;xr-spatial-tracking &apos;none&apos;;\" allowfullscreen=\"\" class=\"arve-iframe fitvidsignore\" credentialless data-arve=\"arve-youtube-tved-9ejtnc\" data-lenis-prevent=\"\" data-src-no-ap=\"https:\/\/www.youtube-nocookie.com\/embed\/TVed-9Ejtnc?feature=oembed&amp;iv_load_policy=3&amp;modestbranding=1&amp;rel=0&amp;autohide=1&amp;playsinline=0&amp;autoplay=0\" frameborder=\"0\" height=\"505.8\" loading=\"lazy\" name=\"\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-presentation allow-popups allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox\" scrolling=\"no\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube-nocookie.com\/embed\/TVed-9Ejtnc?feature=oembed&#038;iv_load_policy=3&#038;modestbranding=1&#038;rel=0&#038;autohide=1&#038;playsinline=0&#038;autoplay=0\" title=\"\" width=\"900\"><\/iframe>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t<\/div>\n\t\n\t\n\t<script type=\"application\/ld+json\">{\"@context\":\"http:\\\/\\\/schema.org\\\/\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/handbook.scot\\\/sds-handbook\\\/article\\\/understanding-a-support-budget\\\/#arve-youtube-tved-9ejtnc\",\"type\":\"VideoObject\",\"embedURL\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.youtube-nocookie.com\\\/embed\\\/TVed-9Ejtnc?feature=oembed&iv_load_policy=3&modestbranding=1&rel=0&autohide=1&playsinline=0&autoplay=0\"}<\/script>\n\t\n<\/div>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Once you have had an assessment, you should find out what is called your indicative budget. This is the rough amount of money you will have to pay for your support.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">You can find out more about this part of the process here: <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/handbook.scot\/sds-handbook\/article\/your-support-budget\/\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\" data-contrast=\"auto\">Your support budget<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">This page explains more about your support budget and how it works.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">How is the amount of my support budget decided?<\/span><\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">The person who does your assessment should find out what is important to you and what you need support with to live a full life. They will use this information to work out how much this support will cost.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">They then give this information to a council committee.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">The council committee has to look at the needs of everyone who needs social care support in their area and decide how to spread the money around fairly.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">The council committee usually makes the final decision about how much your support budget should be.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">The rules around social care support say your support budget should be fair, and enough to cover the level of support that you need.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Do I have to pay towards my budget?<\/span><\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">You may have to pay some of your own money towards your support budget. This depends on where you live, and how much money you have.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Find out more about this here: <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><a style=\"color: #000000;\" href=\"https:\/\/handbook.scot\/sds-handbook\/article\/paying-towards-your-social-care-support-care-charging\/\">Paying towards your social care support (Care charging)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">How do I find out what my budget is?<\/span><\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Your social worker should tell you what your budget is. If you have not been told, ask them to give you the paperwork that explains your budget.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">You have a legal right to this information.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">What can I spend my budget on?<\/span><\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Each council area has different rules for what you can and cannot spend your budget on.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Most councils have rules that say you can\u2019t spend your budget on things like:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"4\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"1\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Anything illegal<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"4\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"2\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Paying off debts<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"4\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"3\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Food and drink<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"4\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"4\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Rent or mortgage.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Ask your council for information about any rules they have for what you cannot spend your budget on.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Councils should be flexible about what you spend your budget on, as long as it will help you achieve your outcomes. These are the things you have agreed with your social worker that are important to you.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">In reality, some councils and some social workers are more flexible than others when it comes to what you can spend your budget on.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">In some situations, you may have to make a case to spend your budget on something you think will meet your outcomes. An Independent Support Organisation, Carers\u2019 Centre or Advocacy Service can help you with this.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">You can find your local Independent Support Organisation using the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/handbook.scot\/sds-handbook\/find-help\/\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Find Help<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> search tool.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">You can find your local Carers\u2019 Centre <a href=\"https:\/\/www.carersnet.org\/what-support-can-i-access\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">here<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">You can find your local Advocacy service <a href=\"https:\/\/www.siaa.org.uk\/find-an-advocate\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">here.<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">How do I decide what to spend my budget on?<\/span><\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Every person is different, so no two people\u2019s budgets will be the same. What you spend your budget on will depend on what is important to you that you need support to achieve.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">The assessment process may help you decide what you need support with.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">If you choose to manage your budget yourself, you decide how to spend it to meet your outcomes.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">There are organisations who can help you decide and plan how to spend your budget. Find their details using the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/handbook.scot\/sds-handbook\/find-help\/\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Find Help<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> search tool.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">If you choose to get help to manage your budget, you can work with the organisation that is managing it for you to decide how to spend it.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">You can be flexible about how you spend your budget.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">You do not have to spend the same amount every week or month.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Your social worker might want to agree a limit for a maximum amount you can spend at any one time.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">What happens if I spend all my budget?<\/span><\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">You cannot ask your council for more money if you spend all your budget.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">If you are managing your budget yourself, you need to plan to make sure you do not spend your budget too quickly.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">You also need to make sure you keep enough spare in your budget to cover things like replacement support if your usual support is not available.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">If someone else is helping you manage your budget, they should make sure you do not spend it too quickly.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">What happens if I do not spend all my budget?<\/span><\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">There may be many reasons why you are not able to spend all of your budget. For example, if it is difficult to find services to support you.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Find out what happens in this article: <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/handbook.scot\/sds-handbook\/article\/what-happens-if-you-do-not-spend-all-your-support-budget\/\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\" data-contrast=\"auto\">What happens if you do not spend all your support budget?<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Next steps<\/span><\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Contact your local Independent Support Organisation for help to understand your budget.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">You can find your local Independent Support Organisation using the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/handbook.scot\/sds-handbook\/find-help\/\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Find Help<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> search tool.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>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.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":0,"template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-3124","article","type-article","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/handbook.scot\/sds-handbook\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/article\/3124","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/handbook.scot\/sds-handbook\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/article"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/handbook.scot\/sds-handbook\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/article"}],"version-history":[{"count":10,"href":"https:\/\/handbook.scot\/sds-handbook\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/article\/3124\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3536,"href":"https:\/\/handbook.scot\/sds-handbook\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/article\/3124\/revisions\/3536"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/handbook.scot\/sds-handbook\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3124"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}