Direct Payments
Direct payments is money we give to people who would like to arrange and pay for their own care and support services instead of receiving them directly from the social care and health directorate.
A person must be able to give their consent to receiving direct payments and be able to manage them even if they need help to do this.
Direct Payments give you flexibility, choice and control over the way you receive social care services. Almost anyone who is eligible for social care services can choose to receive a Direct Payment instead.
Older people and people with various disabilities are already benefitting from Direct Payments.
As well as lots more information below, there is a guide in easy words and pictures to help people with a learning disability to understand how Direct Payments work.
Who is eligible?
If you already receive social care services
We are obliged to offer you the option of direct payments in place of the services you currently receive. (There are some limited circumstances where you are not given this choice and we will be able to tell you about these.)
If you are not receiving social care services
To get direct payments please contact us to ask for your needs to be
assessed. Social care services (and therefore direct payments) are normally available if you are:
• disabled and aged 16 or over;
• a parent or carer aged 16 or over (including people with parental responsibility for a disabled child); or
• an older person.
If you have been refused social care services
If we have decided that you do not need social care services, we will not offer you direct payments. If you think your needs or circumstances have now changed, ask us for a new assessment.
Contact us and other useful organisations for more information about direct payments. Details are at the bottom of the page.
How much do you get?
The amount you receive will depend on the assessment we make of your needs. Your financial circumstances will also be assessed to find out if you need to make a contribution towards the cost of your care. The amount of direct payment you receive will depend on that financial assessment too.
How it's paid
The payments are made directly into your bank, building society, Post Office or National Savings account.
If you need someone to collect your money, or you are registered blind, payment can be made by sending a cheque which can be cashed at the Post Office.
How to apply for direct payments
If you already get services, ask us about direct payments.
If you are applying for services for the first time, your social worker should discuss the direct payments option with you when they assess your care needs.
What you can use direct payments for
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Many disabled people need help to live the lifestyle of their choice. Being able to have some control of your life is what direct payments is all about. The money is for you to use to arrange the services (including equipment) which will meet the needs you have been assessed as having.
This might mean employing a personal assistant. If you decide this is the best support for you, an Independent Living Adviser (ILA) from the Rowan Organisation can give you help and advice about recruiting an assistant as well as support in managing all aspects of the the direct payments scheme.
As a general principle, we should aim to leave you to choose how best to meet your assessed needs as long as we are satisfied that agreed support and/or arrangements made, are being met.
What you can't use direct payments for
You cannot use direct payments to:
• pay for permanent residential accommodation (but you may be able to use direct payments to secure occasional short periods in residential accommodation, if we agree that is what you need)
• regularly pay your spouse or civil partner, close relatives or anyone who lives in the same household as you. Only in exceptional circumstances can payments be made in this way.
• buy council services or health care.
Record keeping
If you receive direct payments, you'll need to account for the money you spend. We will tell you what records you need to keep and what information you'll be expected to provide: such as timesheets signed by personal assistants, or receipts for services from agencies.
We have to check that the needs for which it is giving you direct payments are being met. We will tell you how we will go about this. This may involve a visit to your home.
Other features of direct payments
You must:
• only use the money to meet your assessed needs;
• keep the payments in a separate bank account;
• manage and account for the money you are given;
• sign a letter of agreement to say you understand the principles of the scheme;
• recruit and pay your staff or arrange alternative services. This includes paying their tax and providing a job description;
• accept the responsibilities in employing and organising your staff; and
• make sure your staff are treated reasonably and that their health and safety is protected.
We would also advise you to arrange a check on their criminal background.
Carers and direct payments
If you are a parent or carer aged 16 or over (including people with parental responsibility for a disabled child) you may be eligible for direct payments.
However, you cannot use direct payments to buy services for the person you care for. They can only be spent on getting the support you, as a carer, have been assessed as needing.
Effect on other benefits
Direct payments are not a replacement of income and therefore do not affect any other benefits you may be receiving.
What to do if your circumstances change
If your social care needs change
If your needs change (for better or for worse, or in the long- or short-term) contact us as soon as possible so that we can reassess the level of payments you need.
For example, if you don't need to spend the full amount because your condition improves temporarily, or you go into hospital, we may need to adjust your payments.
If you don't want to continue with direct payments
If you decide you don't want to continue then we will arrange services instead. If we decide you cannot manage direct payments, we might decide to stop making those payments and provide services instead.
What to do if you are not happy with the outcome of your assessment
You have the right to appeal. Speak to your assessor or an ILA who will advise you who to contact or, you can use our complaints procedure. Your assessor will give you a leaflet that explains the procedure and includes a form you can fill it to have the appeal looked into.
More useful information is in the documents below:
Direct Payments: Guidance for users (pdf, 241kb)
Direct Payments and Carers v6 (pdf, 61kb)
Direct Payments and Employing a Close Relative in the Same Household (pdf, 158kb)
Direct Payments and Protecting Vulnerable Adults (pdf, 185kb)
Direct Payments and Setting up a Trust Fund (pdf, 180kb)
Direct Payments for Equipment and Minor Work (adaptations to the home) (pdf, 251kb)
Department of Health - A guide to receiving Direct Payments from your local council (pdf, 789kb)
Contact details for more information
Other useful contacts
Last Modified:
15/02/2008 12:11:03
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