Direct Payments to Pay for Social Care Support

Direct Payments to Pay for Social Care Support

Local authorities, after a care assessment has dcided that an individual is entitled to care support, they can either be offered the care support or they have the choice to receive a direct Payment. Direct Payments enable a person or their family to use the DP funding to arrange their own care provision.

To receive a Direct Payment, talk to your local Social Services department.

Direct Payments give a person flexibility to to chooses their care provider, to communicate directly with them and to change to another provider if they are not satisfied with the one they have. Control is with the person or their family.

It also gives the opportunity to ‘shop around’ for the best value for their budget.

Direct payments also give the opportunity to hire your own care support. This may be that you become an employer, which does have responsibilities, but many people prefer to have wages, tax, NIC etc. managed for them by an outside broker, accountant etc.

If a person is already receiving practical support from their Council but would like to change to a Direct Payment, then contact the Direct Payment Support Service at your local Council.

Angela Gifford

Able Community Care Ltd.

www.ablecommunitycare.com

Opposite: Able Community Care’s office