If you are eligible for social care funding, we will calculate your ‘personal budget’, which is the amount of money allocated to pay for the support as set out in your care plan.
The council can arrange your care for you, or you can choose for us to pay your personal budget directly to you so you can arrange the care yourself. This is called a direct payment.
Who can have a direct payment?
You can get a direct payment if you:
- Are aged 16 years or over and have been assessed as having eligible care and support needs
- Are a parent of a child with a disability who has been assessed as having eligible care and support needs
It is your choice if you’d like to use a direct payment.
How does a direct payment work?
If you choose to use a direct payment, you will need to sign a direct payment agreement and agree to take part in monitoring and reviews.
Most people will receive their direct payment on a prepaid card, managed by a company called Allpay. In some cases, a direct payment bank account can be authorised.
A direct payment can be paid directly to you. If you do not want to, or if you cannot, manage the direct payment yourself you can nominate a representative or asked for a managed account with a Direct Payment Support Provider.
Every two weeks, your personal budget is added to your card and/or account. If you contribute towards the cost, you must add any extra to your card and/or account so there is enough to pay for your care.
You can then pay for your care by card, bank transfer, faster payments or direct debit (where this is authorised). Cheques are not supported.
How much should a direct payment be?
A direct payment must be enough to cover the reasonable cost of buying services to meet your eligible needs, as set out in your support plan. This will include the associated costs which you have to pay – such as the associated insurance and employee benefits if you employ your own personal assistant.
You may still have to contribute towards the cost of your care and support.
What can you use a direct payment for?
You should discuss what you can use your direct payment for with us, to make sure that it meets your agreed care and support needs.
You can use a direct payment to buy support that meets your agreed outcomes in you care and support plan.
This might include:
- Personal care (from a provider, or by employing a Personal Assistant)
- Support to access the community (for activities and appointments)
- Respite care, to allow unpaid carers to have a break
- Equipment and minor home adaptations
You cannot use a direct payment to fund general household expenses, NHS services, permanent residential care, any care that is not agreed in your support plan, or any unlawful activities.
When does a direct payment end?
You can ask to stop receiving direct payments at any time.
Direct payments will also stop if you are no longer eligible for social care funding.
Who do I contact if I have questions?
Contact Staffordshire Cares for information, advice and guidance
- Phone: 0300 111 8010
- email: staffordshirecares@staffordshire.gov.uk
