Indicator 2(A): Are personal budgets available which enable people with mental disabilities to choose the appropriate support they need to live in the community?

Conclusion:
Yes, ‘contribution to care’ is provided to people with disabilities as a social care benefit with the aim of enabling them to choose and pay for appropriate support they need. In reality this amount usually remunerates the care provided by a family member.

Explanation:

‘Contribution to care’ is a financial contribution to people with disabilities over 18 years of age to cover the costs of using social services.^[32] The exact amount of the contribution to care depends on the degree of the person’s needs and level of support required as assessed by a doctor and a social worker. The aim of these benefits are to enable people with disabilities to directly buy services according to their needs, either from their own family or from a social care provider. In practice, these financial benefits form part of the family budget. Families can benefit from contribution to care if the person with a disability stays in the family environment and receives support from family members.