A direct payment is money which Adult and Community Based Services pays into a person’s bank account for them to spend on a specific item or activity identified in their support plan.
Note: A direct payment is not the same as a direct debit.
Why would I want a direct payment?
You can use a direct payment to arrange and pay for your own care and support. It gives you the flexibility to get the services that meet your needs, when and how you want them, from the provider you choose.
Direct payments do not affect any benefits you receive such as Disability Living Allowance (DLA), Personal Independence Payments (PIP), or Attendance Allowance.
Who can have a direct payment?
Anyone assessed by a social worker or care manager as meeting the Adult Social Care eligibility criteria can get a direct payment. This includes:
- older people aged 65 or over
- people with disabilities aged over 16
- unpaid carers aged 16 and over, including those with parental responsibility for a child with a disability
How will I manage my direct payment?
You can choose how much support you want in managing your payment. Help available includes:
- information and advice to help you arrange support
- interviewing and employing carers and personal assistants
- payroll service to help manage a personal assistant's wages, tax and national insurance
- information to help you choose a care agency
You may choose someone to manage your direct payment account on your behalf, such as a family member, friend or support service. If a person lacks capacity, an “authorised person” can manage the payment for them.
Further information
Visit Skills for Care for more resources on direct payments.