Direct Payments

If you, or the person you look after, has been assessed as needing social services support, you may be offered a cash payment (direct payment) to organise the help you need rather than have it provided or arranged by the local council or health trust.

Direct payments can give you or the person you look after more choice, flexibility and control over the support provided. You may be able to have all, or part of the support needed paid for by direct payments, or still receive some or all of it through the council or health trust.

Key information about Direct Payments

They are available in England, Scotland and Wales. If you live in Scotland or Wales, contact your council directly.

You must be aged 16 or over to get a payment.

You can only get direct payments if you’ve been assessed by social services as needing care and support services.

Direct payments can be made to:

• Disabled people aged 16 or over (with short or long-term needs).
• Parents of a disabled child.
• Elderly people who need community care services.
• Carers aged 16 or over. Eligibility for a direct payment to carers would result from a Carer’s Assessment.

How to get a direct payment

Contact your local council or trust with responsibility for social care services to arrange an assessment – this could be for yourself, as a carer, or the person you look after with care needs, or both of you.

If you live in Hertfordshire, you should contact Hertfordshire County Council (details below).

To receive support via direct payments in Hertfordshire, in addition to being aged 16 or over and having an assessed need, you must be willing and able to be in control of decisions about care and be able to manage direct payments, either alone or with assistance. If direct payments are for a child, the person with parental responsibility should manage them on the child’s behalf. Certain exclusions will apply.

Anyone already receiving services from the Hertfordshire County Council should contact their social worker to discuss the option of changing to direct payments.

If care services are not yet in place, or there is no named social worker, contact Hertfordshire County Council to request an assessment or re-assessment, explaining that you are interested in direct payments.

How much will a direct payment be?

This is normally equivalent to the cost of the services that would be directly provided by the council.
The person receiving a direct payment may have to contribute towards the costs of their support – this will depend on their age, income and savings. If a contribution is required, the direct payment will be reduced by this amount.

What can I use a direct payment for?

The person carrying out the assessment can give guidance on how to use the money. Examples of how direct payments have been used in the past include employing personal assistants or home carers, paying for practical assistance in the home, or buying day service activities or respite care.

Direct payments cannot be used to purchase local authority services, permanent residential and nursing care or for housing or NHS services.

You must get in writing what the direct payment can be used for. You will be required to keep and provide receipts for goods and services bought with direct payment. If you want to change what you use the payment for, you will need to have this agreed in advance from your local council or health trust, e.g. Hertfordshire County Council if you live in Hertfordshire.

If you are unable to spend the direct payment awarded, please alert the authority that you receive it from, such as Hertfordshire County Council, as soon as possible to discuss the matter.

Where can I go for further information and support?

If you would like to be sent a copy of a useful guide to direct payments, please contact us, stating whether you would like the version for parents of children with disabilities, or for adults receiving direct payments in their own right, including carers.

If you are in Hertfordshire:

Hertfordshire County Council Adult Care Services
Tel: 0300 123 4042

Hertfordshire County Council Children’s Services
Tel: 0300 123 4043

Purple
Provides the Hertfordshire Direct Payments Support Service, including support in managing direct payments and recruiting staff.
Tel: 01992 367297 (9am – 5pm, Monday to Friday)
Email: info@herts-dpss.co.uk

National Resources and Support

Gov.uk

Carers UK
Tel: 0808 808 7777

Disability Rights UK Personal Budget Helpline
Tel: 0330 995 0404 (9.30am-1pm, Tuesdays and Thursdays)
Email: personalbudgets@disabilityrightsuk.org

Nannytax
Payroll Services for Parents and Nannies. There is fee for this service.
Tel: 0203 137 4401

The Rowan Organisation
Information services for disabled people. There is a fee for this service.
Tel: 02476 322 860
Email: info@therowan.org