What else do I need to know? We will open a dedicated bank account for your Direct Payment to be paid into. You will have the option to manage the bank account yourself and pay for the care you receive from this account. Or, you can have the account managed by the Direct Payment Support Services who will make payments from the account on your behalf. Direct Payments are not a social security benefit. They do not affect any means-tested benefits you are entitled to and are not taxable.
• Payments Service using a supported or selfmanaged bank account. Call: 01603 223392 (option one) or email: DPCST@norfolk.gov.uk • Employment support including recruitment of personal assistants. Call: 01603 223392 (option two) or email: DPSSemploymentservices@norfolk.gov.uk • Payroll including processing personal assistants' pay. Call: 01603 223392 (option three) or email: DPSSpayroll@norfolk.gov.uk
If you are assessed as self-funding (you have capital or assets above £23,250), you will not be eligible for a Direct Payment.
The Direct Payment Support Services can help Norfolk residents (or those who represent service users) who are thinking about or who have chosen a Direct Payment to meet their eligible care needs.
What can the Direct Payment Support Services provide? • Information and advice sessions for service users, operational staff and personal assistants. Call: 01603 223392 (option one) or email: DPCST@norfolk.gov.uk
What happens if my circumstances change? We will reassess your care and support needs annually. This will provide you with a regular check on how well your arrangements are meeting your needs. If your needs change you can ask us to reassess them.
What will you have to pay for your care? If you are eligible for care and support, you may have to pay something towards this cost. To find out how much you might need to pay, we will carry out a financial assessment and you will need to disclose details about your savings, assets and income to enable us to calculate the amount you have to pay. Do you have more than £23,250 in capital and savings? 1. If you move into long-term residential care, supported living, Independent Living or Housing with Care, the value of your home will be included in the assessment of your capital unless one of the following still lives there: • Your partner (that is, your husband, wife, or civil partner or someone you live with as if they were your husband, wife or civil partner). • A relative who is over 60 or disabled. • A child under 16 who you or a former partner are responsible for. 2. The value of any land or property that you own but do not live in may also be included as capital.
3. If you are receiving care in your own home or attending day services, then your home will not be included as capital in the financial assessment. However, the value of any land or property that you own but do not live in may be included. If you don’t have more than £23,250 in capital and savings We will pay towards the cost of meeting your eligible care and support needs. You will be asked to complete a financial assessment so we can understand your level of savings, assets and income. This will help us to work out how much you will have to pay towards the cost of meeting your care and support needs. We will then pay the balance. If you have capital of between £14,250 and £23,250 you will pay £1 a week for every £250, or part of, that you have above £14,250. This will be in addition to any income you are receiving, for example, state benefits, occupational pensions, etc.
Visit www.carechoices.co.uk for further assistance with your search for care
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