Direct Payments

What are direct payments?

Direct payments are cash payments made to people who have been assessed as needing help from Social Services to help them to live at home. Instead of Social Services arranging services for them people can choose to arrange their own services using their direct payment. Direct payments are for people who like more independence and control over how the support they require is arranged and who are able to manage the payments on their own or with help from another person. The term ‘direct payments’ is being used now by the DSS for new ways of paying benefits and this can be confusing.

Who can receive direct payments?

Most people who are in receipt of social services are eligible for a direct payment. Disabled people aged 16 and over including:

Older people
People with physical and sensory disabilities
People with learning difficulties
People with mental health issues
People with parental responsibility for a disabled child
Carers who have been assessed as needing services

How do I get a direct payment?

To be considered for a direct payment you have to have an assessment in the same way as you would for any social care service.

If you already have services from Social Services contact your social worker to talk about direct payments. If you are have not had contact with Cheshire East Social services before you will need to contact your local Access team and request an assessment. They will establish whether you are eligible for help from the department.

What can you use you direct payment for?

The money is for you to use to arrange the services (including equipment ) which you have been assessed as needing. Following your assessment your worker will explain the options as to how you can receive your services. If you prefer to receive local council services they will arrange these for you. If you choose to have a direct payment they will explain how you can get help to arrange this.

What are the advantages of direct payments?

Direct payments allow people to have greater choice and control over their care arrangements.
They can employ their own staff or contract directly with an agency.
People in Cheshire East already receiving direct payments are very positive about their experience.

What do you need to consider?

You cannot normally use a direct payment to pay your partner or spouse or a close relative that you live with.
Direct payments cannot be used to pay for permanent residential or nursing care.
You can receive a mixture of social services provision and direct payments e.g. a direct payment could be used to pay a helper to provide personal care each morning and then you could attend a day centre belonging to Social Services.
Direct payments are not benefits and do not affect Social security payments or tax.
Direct payments come for public funds and people receiving them have to keep detailed records and open a separate bank account just for the direct payment.

How to get help with direct payments?

Cheshire East social services have an agreement with Cheshire Disabilities Federation for them to provide support to people receiving direct payments. They employ direct payments advisors to help with all aspects of direct payments including:

Advice on the how direct payments can increase independence
Help with recruiting selecting and employing staff
Training on record keeping and managing your direct payments
Information on insurance and health and safety issues.

You can contact them by writing to:

Cheshire Centre for Independent Living
Oakwood Lane
Barnton
Northwich
Cheshire
CW8 4HE
Telephone: 01606 872760 Fax: 01606 871198
Email: office@cdf-northwest.org.uk

People aged 65 and over should contact Age Concern at:

Age Concern
314 Chester Road
Hartford
Northwich
Cheshire
CW8 2 AB
Telephone: 01606 881660
Email: direct.payments@ageconcerncheshire.org.uk

Further information on direct payments:

We have produced three information leaflets about Direct Payments which you can download. These are:

An Introduction to Direct Payments (PDF, 254KB)
Direct Payments - making and agreeing a support plan (PDF, 299KB)
Direct Payments - appointing a nominated agent (PDF, 313KB)

The Department of Health also produce a leaflet called 'A Guide to Receiving Direct Payments' (PDF, 639KB).

This is also available in Braille, on audiocassette, disc, in large print and other languages from:

Department of Health Publications
PO Box 77
London
SE1 6XH
Telephone: 08701 555 455

Other contacts:

National Centre for Independent Living
250 Kennington Lane
London
SE11 5RD
Telephone: 020 7587 1663

Council for Disabled Children
National Children’s Bureau
8 Wakeley Street
London
EC1V 7QE
Telephone: 020 7843 6061 / 6058

Values into Action (working with people with learning disabilities)
Oxford House
Derbyshire Street
London
E2 6HG
Telephone: 020 7729 5436