New guidance on social care personal budget says pre-payment cards should never be the only option
The Independent Living Strategy Group, In Control and Think Local Act Personal (TLAP), have published a document on the use of payment cards in social care. It looks at how payment cards are being used by local authorities as a means of managing a personal budget and follows research undertaken by the Independent Living Strategy Group. The research identified significant variation in the way payment cards were being used across the country, and found examples of good and poor practice.
The guidance states that payment cards should be one of a range of options for receiving and managing personal budgets, including direct payments into a bank account managed by the personal budget holder or their representative. In cases where personal budget holders choose a payment card there should be no blanket restrictions on cash withdrawals, or places, services or products purchased with the payment card. The guidance has been endorsed by Minister of State for Care Caroline Dinenage.
You can find the guidance on the TLAP website here.