What is allowed and what isn't?
Your personal budget can be used to purchase a wide range of services, products and support solutions, many of which would not have been available in the previous way of working.
The key rule for using the money in your personal budget is that it must be:
In fact, the potential uses of a personal budget are so wide, that it is perhaps more helpful to explain what you cannot use your personal budget for.
Limitations on the use of your personal budget
In circumstances where you are proposing to spend your money in a way which could be regarded as an inappropriate use of public money or where the legality of the service is in question, your proposed support plan will not be approved. If this should happen, your social worker/care manager advise you further.
Direct payments
If you
- purchasing services provided by Oxfordshire County Council
- paying a family member who lives with you, except in exceptional circumstances
- permanent residential or nursing care
You can purchase internal services by asking the Council to pay direct out of your personal budget allocation.
In addition, personal budgets cannot be used to purchase:
- NHS health care
As a general rule, if the proposed expenditure seems likely to achieve outcomes which will improve your quality of life, whilst keeping you healthy, safe and well, then no proposal will be ruled out without careful consideration and good reason.
If you would like to see some recent examples of support plans from Oxfordshire people, please have a look on the page '
