Direct payments

If you are eligible for Community Care services, the Direct Payments scheme can make you more independent.

Instead of receiving services from the Council you can choose to receive the money and buy the service from elsewhere. This gives you more choice, control and flexibility.

• You will choose who provides the care to meet your needs
• You will choose when services are provided

The money will be paid into a dedicated bank account for paying related wages and expenses. You can use the money to decide how to meet the personal needs outlined in your Care Plan.

The Direct Payment is not viewed as an income, so your income tax will not be affected.

 

Who can receive Direct Payments?

• parents or persons with parental responsibility for a disabled child
• a disabled person with parental responsibility for a child
• young persons over 16 who are disabled
• persons aged between 18 and 64 years old who receive Community Care services
• persons over 16 who provide frequent and substantial care for an adult
• persons over 65 who receive Community Care services.

In addition, you will need to be able to manage the scheme yourself or with help by a family member, carer or someone you trust.

 

How do I apply?

Eligibility for Direct Payments follows as a result of a thorough Community Care assessment. You can request such an assessment from the Adult, Health and Wellbeing Department: