Direct Payments

This page contains everything you need to know about the Direct Payments Scheme.

What are Direct Payments?
Who can receive them?
What help is available?
What do I need to do?
How can i use direct payments?
How do i find suitable personal assistants?
Can I employ a close relative as a personal assistant?
How do I pay them?
What about their tax and National Insurance?
Do I need to keep records?
What happens if my circumstances change?
What if I no longer want to continue with direct payments?
Contact Details and Further Information

What are Direct Payments?

There are two schemes currently running called "Direct Payments".

1. A new method of receiving pensions and other welfare benefits. More information on this can be found via the Pension Service website

2. Is a way of arranging your own care services by receiving a regular cash payment instead of having services arranged or provided by the Local Authority.

These Direct Paymemts are designed to give you flexibility to meet your care needs in ways that are most convenient for you.

With Direct Payments:

You choose who provides the care to meet your needs, and
You control when services are delivered.

If you are eligible, you can receive a regular sum of money ("the Direct Payment"). You can use this money to make your own decisions about buying services to meet your assessed needs, as described in your Care Plan.

Remember that these payments are only made to help you purchase care to meet your assessed needs and are not extra money to spend as you choose. They cannot, for example, pay for services you receive from Health or the Housing Department.

Direct Payments are not regarded as income, so your income tax and/or benefit situation will not be affected.

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Who can receive them?

Since November 2004, we have a duty to offer direct payments to all those potentially eligible to receive them. The eligible groups are:

Adult disabled people receiving or eligible to receive, community care services;
People receiving carers' services;
A person with parental responsibility for a disabled child;
A disabled person aged 16 or 17.

In 2005, the duty to offer direct payments will be extended to all people aged over 65 who are eligible for community care services.

You do not have to be currently receiving services to be eligible for direct payments. However you can replace existing services with Direct Payments if you choose to do so. As long as you have had an assessment of need you may be eligible.

In addition, you must be capable of managing the Scheme alone or with the assistance of a support scheme.

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What help is available?

The Direct Payment Support Scheme can advise you on meeting the following responsibilities:

arranging for police checks;
recruiting and paying the people who will provide your support;
acting as a responsible employer;
meeting the requirements of employment law, i.e safeguarding the well being of your personal assistants;
taking out the appropriate insurance cover;
opening a separate bank account for your Direct Payments;
managing and accounting for the money you receive and agreeing to the Local Authority auditing your accounts regularly.

Before we agree to provide you with Direct Payments, we will have to be satisfied that you will meet these responsibilities successfully.

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What do I need to do?

If you are not currently receiving any services from us, you will need to arrange for an assessment of need. This can be arranged via the Duty Officer whose telephone number is below.

If you are already receiving services and are interested in changing to direct payments, contact your named social worker or duty officer.

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