ILA - supporting and representing disabled people in West Sussex

Direct Payments

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Freedom to pay for the help you choose

Direct Payments (DPs) are a way of getting the support you need to lead an ordinary life. With DPs, you get money from the local authority to pay for the help you need, instead of relying on social services staff to provide the support for you.

West Sussex County Council (WSCC) will pay money into a bank account (separate from any other account you may have). Then you can use that money to pay for the help you need. You can choose who provides the help by employing your own personal assistants and saying what you want them to do. You can get help from the ILA to manage your direct payments, but you are always in control.

You can ask for Direct Payments if ...

  • you are already getting social services from the council
  • WSCC agrees that you need a service which the council should pay for
  • you can understand and run your Direct Payments account (with as much help as you need for it).

You can use the money to pay personal assistants or services to help you live an ordinary life, doing things like:

  • living in your own home
  • going shopping
  • going to college
  • going to work
  • doing hobbies
  • going on holiday

The money is only for paying for the help you need to do these things. You cannot use it for the actual costs of shopping, hobbies, holidays etc, or for household bills.

You don't have to have Direct Payments - it's entirely your choice. If you think it might be good for you, talk to your family, your social worker or care manager, or one of the people at the ILA - they are there to help you.

Here's what some ILA members have said about their experiences of Direct Payments:

"It has made such an improvement to our lives. Direct Payments have transformed my son’s life."

"It has made a massive difference to the lives of my whole family."

"I can cope with the paperwork and I get very good help from my ILA project officer."

"Direct Payments make for a much more 'normal' way of life for a disabled person."

"It has brought me emancipation."

"Direct Payments have helped my self-esteem. I have got my confidence back."