A to Z of services: Direct payments

A Direct Payment gives you: "Independence;" "Choice;" "Control;" "Flexibility." It means getting your own money to pay for your care, such as Home Support or care in your own home, Short Breaks, Day Services or Equipment.

A Direct Payment is money you are given so that you can buy the services or help you need instead of having them provided by us.

Who can get a Direct Payment?

• Older and disabled people over 16

• Someone with parental responsibility for a disabled child.

• Unpaid carers over the age of 16.

You must have been assessed by a Care Manager or Social Worker as needing help and support. What's good about Direct Payments?

A Direct Payment gives you the chance to take control of your own life. It gives you independence to make choices about the services you need. It enables you to arrange the support you need when you want it and from the person you want to give it.

Direct payments are flexible. You can choose to have a Direct Payment for all your support or part of it. If you have a Direct Payment for some of your care, we will arrange the remainder.

What do I need to do?

You must be willing and able (with support if needed) to manage the Direct Payment.

• You must use the money to pay for the help that you have been assessed as needing.
• You must keep records of how the money is used.

What support will I get?

It's important you know what's on offer and what a Direct Payment could mean to you.

There is support to help you to arrange, manage and use Direct Payments. This can be from:

• You Care Manager or Social Worker and the Direct Payments Team.
• Family and friends.
• A Trust or Power of Attorney.

How do I find out more?

You should talk to your Care Manager or Social Worker about Direct Payments. If you want to know more you will be put in touch with the Direct Payments Team. You can contact the team direct on (01429) 234049.

If you do not have a Care Manager or Social Worker at the moment you can contact the Duty Team at the Civic Centre.