Direct Payments
What are Direct Payments?
These are cash payments given to individuals through Social Services Departments as an alternative to the care and support provided by Social Services.
It provides individuals with choice and control to buy the assistance they need. An individual may choose Direct Payments for all of their support or only part of it (i.e. uses Social Services provision and purchases other provision for themselves).
It is not a payment for food or clothing and must be spent on getting the support a person has been assessed as needing. Direct Payment is not a benefit and does not affect other benefits being claimed.
Who is it for?
Anybody who is assessed by Social Services as needing community care services. This includes those with learning difficulties and/or disabilities, sensory impairment and those disabled as a result of mental illness.
Carers of those with learning difficulties and/or disabilities may also be eligible for Direct Payments.
How to claim Direct Payments
Contact local Social Services Department.
