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Are Direct Payments right for me?
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What is a Direct Payment?
A Direct Payment is a way you can take control of the money provided by the county council to meet your care needs.
This regular payment goes into a separate bank account that you set up. You choose how to spend this money
to meet the support needs you have instead of using council-provided services such as home or day care.
What a Direct Payment is not?
A Direct Payment is not a benefit. It is the council’s money even when it is in your Direct Payment bank account.
This means it does not affect your entitlement to any other benefit you receive.
There are rules about what you can spend a Direct Payment on. You need to show the county council how you have used the money.
Am I eligible to receive a Direct Payment?
If you have a disability, long-term illness or are a parent or carer of a child with a disability you may be eligible for a social care service. You can apply to have Direct Payments so that you can choose how to get that service. Social services use eligibility criteria to assess who they can help.
If you are eligible to receive a service, a Direct Payment is an option available to you.
A booklet called “How we decide who to help” is available from the ILA or your local social services office.
Are Direct Payments means-tested?
Yes - your finances would be assessed by the county council. You may need to pay a contribution towards the cost of your care.
A booklet called “Paying for nonresidential care” is available from the ILA or from your local social services
office.
No – if the Direct Payment is for someone under the age of 18 years.
What if I can’t manage a Direct Payment myself?
Social services can appoint a suitable person to manage your Direct Payment for you. This is usually a family member or friend.
What can I spend my Direct Payment on?
• Employing one or more personal assistants (PAs) of your choice.
• Buying care, support or other services from agencies or charities.
• Sometimes the council will agree that your needs can be met by buying equipment.
What can’t I spend my Direct Payment on?
• Buying services from your local authority.
• Buying services that you can get free of charge from the NHS.
• Buying things you have not been assessed as needing.
• Buying a long term placement in a residential home.
Where can I go for more information?
For further information call our information and advice line between 8am and 6pm.
Information and advice line:
08456 0123 99
