How to Get a Personal Health Budget: A Step-by-Step Guide for Families and Individuals

As the NHS continues to expand the use of Personal Health Budgets (PHBs), more people with long-term conditions, learning disabilities, autism, or ongoing healthcare needs are discovering how transformative personalised care can be. 
Yet for many, the steps required to access a PHB are not always clear. 
Understanding the pathway can make the process far more manageable, especially when expert support is available.

A PHB gives individuals more choice and control over their care. 
It allows them to design support around their needs, routines and preferences, rather than relying solely on traditional commissioned services. 
For people who want to recruit their own personal assistants or access community-based activities, a PHB can open the door to greater flexibility and independence.

For general NHS guidance on PHBs, visit:
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/social-care-and-support-guide/personal-health-budgets/.

Step 1: Confirm Whether You Are Eligible

PHBs are available to people who receive NHS Continuing Healthcare (CHC) or those with long-term health conditions where personalised care would clearly benefit outcomes. Eligibility is determined through a Continuing Healthcare assessment. Some individuals transitioning from youth services to adult services may also be considered as part of adult personalised care planning.

If you are unsure whether you qualify, you can request an assessment through your local Integrated Care Board (ICB) or speak with your GP, social worker or another healthcare professional.

Information on CHC eligibility can be found at:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/nhs-continuing-healthcare-and-nhs-funded-nursing-care.

How HomeCareDirect can help at this stage:
We frequently support people who are unsure about their eligibility. 
While the NHS makes the final decision, we can help you understand the CHC process, prepare for assessments and clarify what information may be useful. 
Early conversations often give individuals and families the confidence they need before approaching their local CHC team.

Step 2: Ask to Explore a Personal Health Budget

If you are found eligible for CHC, you have the right to request a Personal Health Budget. Your nurse assessor or personalised care coordinator should support this discussion and explain the available PHB options.

HomeCareDirect’s role at this stage:
Before you formally request a PHB, we can help you understand:
• how PHBs work
• how personalised care could meet your specific needs
• what you might want your PHB to fund

Our team helps you articulate why a personalised budget would improve your outcomes and quality of life.

Step 3: Co-designing Your Support Plan

Once your PHB request is agreed in principle, you will begin developing a personalised support plan with your NHS coordinator. 
This plan outlines how the budget will be used to meet your assessed health and well-being needs.

HomeCareDirect, if suitable, can support this stage by helping you:
• design a flexible, personalised support plan
• determine your ideal staffing arrangements and daily routines
• explore support, activities or therapies that align with your goals
• prepare a plan that meets NHS requirements for safety and value for money

We ensure your plan is clear, comprehensive and ready for approval.

Step 4: Approval by the Integrated Care Board

Your support plan is reviewed by your local ICB panel, who confirm that it is clinically appropriate and financially viable.

HomeCareDirect’s involvement:
If the panel asks for clarification or amendments, we help you respond quickly and accurately to avoid delays.

Step 5: Setting Up the Budget and Beginning Your Personalised Support

Once approved, your Personal Health Budget becomes active. 
This is the stage where many people benefit most from professional support, and where HomeCareDirect’s long-term role begins.

A PHB with the Right Support Can Transform Lives

Accessing a Personal Health Budget is not just about securing funding. 

It is about gaining control, flexibility and independence in your daily life. 
With the NHS aiming to significantly expand PHB use over the coming years, more people will have the opportunity to shape their care around what truly matters to them.

If you are considering a PHB or want help understanding your options, HomeCareDirect is here to guide you at every stage, from exploring eligibility to managing your support for years to come.