Direct payments

There are multiple ways you can help to fund your own care, either through a direct payment from us or setting up a personal budget. 

To find out more about this, please see our guidance video. 

A direct payment (also called a DP) is a sum of money given to you by the council which you can use to pay for care and support.

The aim is to give you greater flexibility, more choice, and control over the support you get. If you get a direct payment, you can decide how your needs will be met, by whom, and when.

For example, you might decide to employ your own personal assistant (PA) to work at the times you choose. This will be instead of receiving support from a care agency arranged by the council.

Who can receive a direct payment

Adult social services can make direct payments to anyone:

• the age of 18 or over
• who, after an assessment, is deemed eligible for care and support

What a direct payment can be used for

You can use a direct payment to meet your care and support needs, whatever that means to you. You are required to use it to meet any needs identified and agreed to in your support plan.

Purchase restrictions

 Direct payments cannot be used to purchase:  

• anything outside of, or not agreed upon, in your support plan. It is not an income so it cannot be spent on anything else. 
• a long term stay in a care home or residential accommodation
• to pay a family member living in the same household as you to provide care, unless agreed with the council in exceptional circumstances
• services from the NHS or where another agency has responsibility
• equipment for which the council is not responsible, or as a substitute for a Disabled Facilities Grant

A personal budget is the whole sum of money that is available to pay for your support.

If you have a personal budget, you will:

• know the total amount of money there is to pay for your care and support
• be able to choose how the money is managed
• be able to choose how the money is used to meet agreed needs and outcomes

You may choose to take all or part of your personal budget as a direct payment. Some people prefer the council to manage their personal budget and arrange services for them.

You can read more about this in our personal budget options guide.

Contact us for information, advice, and support on using direct payments. Our support includes help:

• setting up a bank account
• advising you on employment responsibilities
• signposting and ensuring correct insurance is in place
• assistance with completing any forms
• with recruitment of personal assistants (PA’s) or care agencies
• completing Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks for PA’s 
• working with you to review the DP after 6 weeks to ensure it is working well and meeting your needs