What is a direct payment?
If you have been assessed by adult social care as needing community care services you can decide to receive a payment and organise and buy the services yourself.
What can I use the direct payment for?
Direct payments can be used to arrange support designed to meet your individual needs. We will agree these needs together and write them down in your care plan.
A direct payment is sometimes given so that you can arrange a short break, sometimes called respite care, or for you to buy the equipment that you need to stay independent.
Direct payments can also be used to pay for help with:
- Personal tasks such as getting up, washing, dressing, going to bed etc.
- Practical tasks such as food preparation, cooking, shopping and other related tasks to help you to live in your own home.
You can choose to buy care from an agency or you can employ your own personal assistant (PA).
If I am a Carer, what can I use the direct payment for?
You can get a direct payment to pay for support or services which will help you to “carry on” as a Carer, by giving you a break from your caring role - you cannot use the payment for support to the person you care for.
Are there things that I can’t use direct payments for?
Direct payments are not extra money for you to spend just as you wish and there are also some things that they cannot be used for, such as :
- NHS or other health services.
- Permanent residential or nursing home care.
- Services which are directly managed or provided by the Council
How much will I get?
The amount of money you can receive as a direct payment depends on the level of your needs and the support you require to live in your own home – we take into account what it would cost if the council provided the services instead.
Unless you are a Carer, you will usually have to pay a contribution to the cost of your services.
What help and support can I have?
We have a support service which is able to provide information and advice, especially if you decide to employ your own personal assistant (PA). The support service can put you in touch with other people receiving, or considering a direct payment as well.
What else do I need to know?
You will be asked to open a separate bank account. Usually the Council will pay your direct payment to you, monthly in advance. You will have to provide records of how you have spent the money – we will give you some simple forms for this and you can have help with this if you need it.
Direct payments are not counted as income and are not taken into account by either the Benefits Agency or Inland Revenue (HMRC).
Further help and information
Whatever your financial situation, Wiltshire Council social care customer advisors are there to help you to discuss your circumstances and consider the choices you can make.
For more information about the range of care services available in Wiltshire, see the Wiltshire Care Services Directory 2010/11 available online at the Care Choices website.
Contact Details (LiveLink)
Multiple Contacts:
For further information please contact us on:
Telephone:
0300 456 0111
Email:
customeradvisors@wiltshire.gov.uk
Weekdays:
Monday
– Thursday - 8:30am - 5:20pm
Friday
- 8:30am - 4:20pm
If you need urgent help outside of these hours, you can call the Emergency Duty Service on 0845 60 70 888
This fact sheet can be produced, on request, in other formats and languages. Please phone 0300 456 0111, by textphone 01225 712500, or email customerservices@wiltshire.gov.uk
eMail:
Telephone:
Out of hours:
Fax:
Postal Address:
In Person:
DX:
Related links
Last updated: 19 July 2011
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