Social Services and Health

Social Services

Direct Payments

Direct Payment links: What are Direct Payments?; Why should I want a Direct Payment?; Who can get Direct Payments?; How do I receive Direct Payments?; How long will I receive payments for?; Support in managing Direct Payments; What can I spend my Direct Payment on?; Who can I buy my service from?; How much will I get?; How will I be paid?; What help will I get?; What records do I have to keep?; Needs which can be met with Direct Payments

What are Direct Payments?

Instead of providing or arranging services for disabled people following their assessment, the local authority can make a Direct Payment, which is a cash equivalent enabling the person to arrange their own care.

Direct payments is a cash replacement for a service. It s not new money, or income, or benefits so is not taxed or regarded as income. People can receive a mixture of direct payments and services provided by the local authority if they wish.

Why should I want a Direct Payment?

Disabled people have campaigned for along time for direct payments because this means greater choice and flexibility in care arrangements. It means you can employ your own staff or buy your care from the provider of your choice.

There is a lot of support available to help you to manage this, so it may not be as difficult as you think.

Who can get Direct Payments?

You can receive direct payment if:

You are disabled and aged over 16. Disability includes physical , sensory, learning disability, disability due to mental health problems, disability due to illness e.g. AIDS, arthritis, MS etc.
You must have had a Community Care Assessment if you are 18 or over, or 'Children in Need' Assessment if you are aged 16 or 17
You are the parent of a disabled child who has been assessed via a Children in Need Assessment as being in need of services.
You are the carer of one of the above. You can receive a direct payment in respect of services you have been assessed as needing following a Carer's Assessment. You cannot be forced to have a direct payment. You must be willing to go on the scheme and able to manage (with support if you need it).

How do I receive Direct Payments?

To be eligible for Direct Payments you must meet criteria as at (3) above. You must have been assessed as needing home care, respite care/short breaks day care, or careers services, or your child must have been assessed as being in need of services. You and Social Services must agree that you want to go on to Direct Payments and are able to manage the practicalities. Assistance is available.

You will receive a lot of information to help you decide if Direct Payment is for you. If, following this, you decide to apply to go on to The scheme, your application will be considered by the Direct Payments Assessment Panel. You will be told the outcome at once if you attend or as possible after the meeting if you do not attend.

How long will I receive payments for?

For as long as you wish to remain on the scheme and you are able to manage. If you decide to stop direct payments all you have to do is let your assessment officer or care coordinator know, so they can cancel the direct payment and rearrange your service for you.

Support in managing Direct Payments

Direct payments does mean taking on the responsibilities of managing your own care and may
include becoming a employer. Support is available, and may come from:

Friends, family if you wish.

The East Riding Direct Payments Support Agency. This is an independent agency working in partnership with East Riding Social Services.

Any voluntary organisations working with disabled people.

Initially, the East Riding Direct Payment Support Agency will provide you with as much information and support as you need, to cover options for buying your own care, assisting you to arrange care /employ your own staff, etc. They can even provide a payroll service for you if you decide to employ your own staff - this service is paid for out of your direct payment, all the other support they provide is free of charge.

What can I spend my Direct Payment on?

You can use your direct payment to purchase the care you (or your disabled child) has been assessed as needing e.g. personal or domiciliary care, respite care, sitter service.
If you are a carer you can buy those services your carers Assessment and Plan considers your need.
You cannot use it to buy any service not on your care plan, or any service provided by the local authority.
You can use it for short breaks but not for permanent residential care.

Who can I buy my service from?

For home care, you can employ anyone who will be able to provide your assessed care or buy care from a care agency. You cannot generally employ close family members who live in your home with you.
You can employ your own staff or purchase from an agency. For day care you can buy/purchase for your day care in any way that meets your assessed needs. You may purchase respite care from the care home of your choice.
The level of payment you receive should be sufficient to do this. You cannot buy services from the local authority.
You can buy short breaks or arrange how you spend your day either by traditional means like care homes or day centres, or you can be more flexible for example paying your own staff to care for you in your own home, or elsewhere, or taking you out.

How much will I get?

This will depend on your assessed needs, there are some set rates that are reviewed annually and can be provided on request. If you currently pay for services you will still do so as a direct payment user.

How will I be paid?

You will receive your payment one week in advance, into a bank account open specifically for direct payments. You will be paid the direct payment less the charges, and pay the amount of the charge into the bank to make up the full direct payment.

What help will I get?

As much as you need for as long as you need it.

What records do I have to keep?

The law says that the local authority must make sure the money you receive is properly spent and that direct payments is working for you. You will need to keep simple records - your Direct Payment Bank statement, signed work sheets if you employ staff. These will be checked regularly by the ERDP Support Agency Worker, who will provide help if you have problems. You will continue to have reviews in the usual way.

The law says direct payments must only be spent on your assessed care needs. If, for some reason this does not happen, future payments will be adjusted accordingly. Any unspent money will generally be returned to East Riding Social Services.

Examples of how direct payments can be used to meet assessed needs:

Personal assistance

getting up and going to bed
night turning in bed
dressing/undressing
maintenance and personal hygiene
eating/drinking assistance (non medical)
managing continence
medication - monitoring, reminding, assisting
mobility within the home or transfers e.g. bed to chair

Domiciliary Assistance

preparation/provision of meals and drinks
washing up
change/make beds
hygiene cleaning of home
assist with household administration
collection pension, benefits, prescriptions, shopping
make phone calls, write letters

Day Care

provision via a non-local authority centre
assistance in utilizing social outlets e.g. cinemas, sports centres, shops etc.

Respite Care

for specific numbers of days per care plan at a care home of your choice or in a private setting of your choice which may or may not be in a care home.

Carer's Service

as assessed e.g. purchase of equipment to assist in caring task, driving lessons, household or gardening tasks etc.

Services for disabled children

see above, as per child's care plan may include after school care at a provision or by a person of your choice.

For a comprehensive Policy and Practice guidance and further information on criteria bids please also refer to the Department of Health website.