You can use Direct Payments to pay for care support that you need, as agreed in your Care Support Plan. You can:
- Employ someone directly to help you.
- Use a care agency you choose.
You can also mix Direct Payments with services provided by the Council. This way, you have more control over your care support.
When you use a Direct Payment, you will arrange and manage the care support you need. Your Social Worker will give you a copy of your care plan for guidance.
You can use your Direct Payment to pay for:
- Homecare from an agency
- A Personal Assistant to help you at home or in the community
- Respite care at home or a short stay in a residential facility
- Day centre visits
- Services listed in your support plan
You cannot use your Direct Payment to:
- Pay for permanent residential care
- Buy services from the Local Authority
- Buy health-related services and equipment
- Employ a partner or close relative who lives with you
The Direct Payments Team will help you with:
- Setting up and managing your Direct Payment
- Recruiting staff
- Payroll support
- Information on agencies
- Completing financial paperwork and records
During the assessment process, a Finance Visiting Officer from the Council will visit you to check if you have to contribute to your care costs. They will tell you about your weekly charge during this visit.
The Direct Payment you receive will be paid into your prepaid account. You need to make sure your assessed client contribution is also paid into this account , so you have enough money to cover your care costs. Your contribution will be used first to pay for your care support.
You can set up a monthly standing order from your personal account to pay your contribution into your Direct Payments account. Your Direct Payments Advisor can help you with this.
Sometimes, the care support you have in place might not work out as planned, like if your Personal Assistant gets sick.
You’ll need to have backup plans ready. This could mean arranging help from an agency or asking off-duty or former employees.
See our section on buying services for advice on Agency Support.
If your plans fall through, you shouldn’t be left without the care you need. Contact your Direct Payments Advisor or Adult Social Care as soon as you realise you need help.