Direct payments for equipment

Finding it hard to do things yourself?

We can give you a direct payment for equipment and minor alterations

What is a Direct Payment?

A Direct Payment is a cash payment to you to buy equipment or minor alterations to your home to make life easier. We can give you this if you or your child has a disability or you have problems seeing or hearing. You can add your own money to the direct payment if it will not cover the cost of what you want.

You can choose your own equipment or builder and we can help you to do this if you want. We can then discuss with you how the direct payments scheme works.

What happens next?

We make an assessment of your needs to find out if you are eligible and we will tell you how much you will get.  If your needs change and the item is no longer suitable you can apply for a reassessment.
For more information about eligible needs look at the guidance called, 'Fair Access to Care Services...what does it mean?'

We cannot give a payment for equipment that is supplied by the NHS and if you need major alterations we can advise on financial help but there is a different grant for this.  You can have a Direct Payment for equipment or minor alterations as well as other help from social services.
Some of the equipment available are:
• toileting and bathing equipment
• moving and handling equipment
• sensory equipment
• wheelchair ramps, door widening, stair rails.
To arrange for an assessment contact the Children's First Response Team for people under 18 years old or, for adults, your nearest Disability Service Team.

Last Modified: 21/05/2007 13:16:28
Back to top