Council and democracy

Direct payments

Cash to arrange your own care services
We offer direct cash payments so that you can arrange your own care services from the various options available, giving you more choice, greater flexibility and more control over the support you receive. The money is paid into a separate bank or post office account.

Who can get direct payments?
Anyone who is currently receiving or has been assessed by Adult Care Services as needing support with daily living, is aged 16 or over and is willing and able to manage this money (with help if needed).

How much will the direct payment be?
This depends on your needs but we would normally give you the equivalent amount that it would cost for us to provide the services you need. Depending on your income and savings, we may ask you to pay towards the cost. If so, the direct payment will be reduced by this amount.

NB: These direct payments are not a benefit and are different from the Department of Work and Pensions ‘Direct Payment’ which is a means of paying either benefits or a pension directly into an individual’s bank account.
Direct payments are made by the council to the individual to purchase their own services. They are not a form of income and should not be regarded as such.