Payment Cards in Adult Social Care – Infographic Guide
Payment cards are a way for local authorities to manage the allocation of funding for individuals in need of adult social care, including disabled people, older people, and carers of disabled people. Instead of an individual receiving a direct social care payment directly into their bank account, local authorities can load the allocated funding onto a payment card.
The Independent Living Strategy Group have created this guide to Prepayment Cards.
Download the full infographic here: Payment Cards Infographic
Payment cards are a way for local authorities to manage the allocation of funding for individuals in need of adult social care, including disabled people, older people, and carers of disabled people. Instead of an individual receiving a direct social care payment directly into their bank account, local authorities can load the allocated funding onto a payment card.
After concerns were raised regarding usage of the cards, a Freedom of Information request was issued to all social services authorities in England on behalf of the Independent Strategy Living Group.
The key findings
All local authorities with social services responsibilities for adults responded to the freedom of information request.
Across the 152 local authority areas, 629,989 people receive long term care and support, over
two thirds of these were in receipt of a personal budget. 69 local authorities reported that
46% used payment cards
54% did not use payment cards
15% of all the personal budgets in the areas that used payment cards were managed with a payment card
37 local authorities provided figures on the fees and operating costs they incurred. In total these local authorities spent £1,112,126 which represents £66.28 average set up cost per person.
At the time of the freedom of information request Two card providers dominate the market, providing services to 78% of all local authorities using payment cards.