www.wiltshire.gov.uk
Direct Payments
Summary of Service
Direct payments are payments given to individuals by the County Council to enable them to buy community based services. They can be given to people who require assistance from others to live at home. They are also available to carers and to people who have parental responsibilities for a disabled child. Their purpose is to increase independence and choice.
Details of Service
If you have been assessed as needing community care services and are capable of managing a direct payment (with assistance, if necessary), you can decide to receive a direct cash payment and organise and buy services yourself, instead of the Council arranging to provide services to you.
- You can use the money from direct payments to employ a personal assistant or you can use an agency to provide staff for you.
- You can 'mix and match' and have some of your support provided by us at the Council and take some as a Direct Payment.
Payment
A person receiving direct payments will be subject to the local authority's charging policy in the same way as other service users.
The direct payment will normally be paid monthly in advance and you will need to open a separate bank account where the money will be paid.
Direct payments are not a social security benefit, will not affect any means tested benefit you are entitled to and are not taxable.
Eligibility
A Direct Payment can be made to anyone over the age of 16 living in Wiltshire who requires assistance from others to live independently at home. It is also available to carers and people with parental responsibility for a disabled child.
For more information please see our Eligibility Criteria for Adult and Community Services
Who should I contact for more information?
For all local support organisations, please see Merlin Community Information Database.
For further information please email the Social care helpdesk at schd@wiltshire.gov.uk.
Contact Details
By Post
Social Care Helpdesk
Wiltshire County Council
Department of Community Services
(Adult Social Care Services)
County Hall
Trowbridge
BA14 8LE
By Email
socialcarehelpdesk@wiltshire.gov.uk
By Telephone
01225 713001
By Fax
01225 713355
| A to Z Names | Direct Payments, Social services - direct payments |
|---|---|
| Keywords | Direct payments |
| PID No. | 287 |
| IPSV Category | Benefits |
| Level 1 Name | Direct Payments |
| IPSV ID | 638 |
