What are Direct Payments?
It is a way of receiving social care from social services. Instead of being provided with a service such as an agency chosen by social services or being sent to a daycentre, you receive money from social services to arrange the care yourself in a way that suits you. You could choose a care agency that you want, you could employ someone of your choice to care for you, or arrange your care in some other way that most benefits you.
Why would I want Direct Payments?
By receiving money to arrange your care yourself you have more control over who provides your care, when they provide it, what they do and how they do it. You have more choices available about how your care is arranged.
Can I get Direct Payments?
If social services agree to provide you with social care, most people can choose to receive the money as Direct Payments.
What is involved?
Social services will assess you and if they are going to provide you with social care they will tell you how much money they will offer. You will write a 'support plan' saying how you plan to meet your needs with this money. You will need to open a separate bank account for the Direct Payments to be paid into. What happens next depends on what you want to do. It may be as simple as contacting an agency that you want to use or you could employ someone you know, you could recruit your own assistants, there may be equipment to help you meet your needs - it very much depends on your choices.
Will I get support?
Yes. The Independent Living Association has been helping people manage their Direct Payments since 2001. If you choose to receive Direct Payments you will have an allocated advisor to provide any help that you need to arrange your care. This could be help with planning your care, finding an agency, recruiting and employing assistants or with any problems you have once your Direct Payments are up and running.
Is it complicated?
It depends on how you choose to arrange your care. If you use an agency it is quite easy, but you have less choice and control than if you employ assistants. If you do employ assistants there is a certain amount of paperwork and responsibility for you, but you have more choice and control about who works for you, what they do and how they do it. The Independent Living Association (ILA) is here to help you through everything you need to do and most people find that employing assistants is not as complicated as it may first sound.
What can I spend my Direct Payments on?
You can spend the money in any way that meets your agreed needs. The way you plan to spend the money is put in the 'support plan', which is often written by you with help from social services and your ILA advisor. Some people pay an agency to provide their care, some people employ people they know, some people recruit people they don't know, some people buy equipment or other services. What matters most is that you receive the care you need in a way that is most beneficial to you.
Who do I need to talk to?
Your first point of call should be your local social services office. If you choose to receive Direct Payments they may refer you to the Independent Living Association.
Will it affect my benefits?
No. Direct Payments are not counted as income for any financial assessment. The money belongs to the Council until it is spent.
Can I change my mind?
Yes. The whole point of Direct Payments is giving people more choice. If you choose Direct Payments you can always change your mind. There will be some notice required to arrange alternative care or end any existing arrangements.
Do I have to pay?
All social care is means tested. You will be assessed by social services and may be asked to pay a contribution towards the cost of your care.
“The support I received from ILA both financially and words of encouragement keeps me going…my personal advisor guides me what and when to do things, the leaflets are very useful, there is always someone to talk to every time you call for advice. Thanksl”
R.Ndori, Crawley.