What is a Direct Payment?
A Direct Payment is money paid directly to you to fund your care services to meet your individual care, or support needs.
 
The aim of a direct payment is to give more flexibility in how services are provided. By giving individuals money in lieu of social care services, people have greater flexibility, choice and control over their lives, and are able to make their own decisions about how their care is delivered.

• You could use your Direct Payment to:

• Pay a personal assistant to provide personal care and support
• Arrange for an agency to provide your care
• Arrange respite care services
• Pay for equipment that will help you to live a more independent life
• Have help with social activities

Why choose a Direct Payment?
Direct Payments give you control and choice about the services you receive. You can choose who provides services for you and how, when and where you receive services. This means you can:

• choose who you would like to have as your carer
• decide what time you would like your care
• choose to have extra care if and when you need it

Who can have a Direct Payment?
You may be eligible to receive Direct Payments if you have been assessed as:

• having a care need
• you need equipment to help with your care needs
• you are a carer needing support to care for someone else
• you are a representative of somebody assessed as needing care

Who can't have a Direct Payment?
There are only a small number of people who are unable to have a direct payment, including anyone:

• unable to understand what direct payments are
• serving a community sentence for a criminal offence
• a small section of people under the Mental Health Act 1983

If you would like more information about organising your own care, please contact your Care Co-ordinator. You will then have time to consider the information and make a decision in your own time. If you decide you would like to arrange all or part of your care, all you need to do is let your Care Co-ordinator know. From finding and interviewing carers to completing paperwork, there is support available to help you at a time and place that suits you. If you would like more information about organising your own care, please contact your Care Co-ordinator.