Direct payments

Direct payments give you more control. You decide on the kind of support you want, who will provide it, and when.

With more choice and flexibility, you can arrange your support to suit your lifestyle.

What are direct payments?

Direct payments are an agreed amount of money that we give to you so that you can arrange your own care.

If you would like to receive some services from us and some from independent providers, we can give you a combination of direct payments and direct services.

You will need to set up a separate bank account for your direct payments. You should pay the money that you contribute towards your care into this account. You should then pay for your support with the money from this account.

A direct payment does not affect social security benefits, and it is not classed as taxable income.

Who can get direct payments

You can have direct payments if you are eligible for support from us and:

  • we are satisfied that you are able and willing to manage the direct payment, either alone or with help
  • you are over 16 years old, or
  • you are a person with parental responsibility for a disabled child.

A very small number of people cannot receive direct payments because of the mental health or criminal justice rules that apply to them.

Direct payments for carers

If someone provides you with regular unpaid care then we may be able to offer them a carers assessment. This is a chance for them to talk to us about the care they provide and find out about any support they could get.

One of the ways we can support carers is by offering them direct payments to pay for certain services to help with their caring role. It may also be possible to use direct payments for things such as the Home-based Carers Respite Service.

If you don't want direct payments

If you don't want the responsibility of looking after your direct payments we can arrange and buy services for you.

Managing your direct payments

Independent Living Support service

We can help you manage your direct payments through the Independent Living Support service, which is run by a company called A4e.

Based in Eastbourne, they work closely with us to provide advice and support to people who want to take more control of their personal assistance needs.

If you choose to use direct payments, your care manager will put you in touch with A4e. They can offer you all kinds of help, including help with recruiting personal assistants, working out wages and managing your direct payments money on a day-to-day basis.

Help from friends and relatives

Some people ask trusted friends or relatives to help them manage their direct payments instead. You can do this informally, or you can choose to have the money paid to a ‘nominee' who will manage the money for you but always act on your wishes.

People who are unable to manage their affairs

People who are not able to express their wishes about the support they get because they lack mental capacity can have their direct payments paid to a ‘suitable person'. This is a trusted person who will make decisions about the best way for the payments to be used.

Record keeping

If you receive direct payments, you will either need to have a separate bank account and keep financial records or pay a company to do this for you. Your own contribution towards the cost of your care must also be paid into this bank account – using a direct debit wherever possible.

We will give you advice on how to keep financial records that show how you have spent the direct payments.

How to apply for direct payments

To get direct payments, you need to have a social care assessment.

We'll look at what your needs are and whether you qualify for help from us. If you do qualify for help, we will work out the amount of money (your personal budget) that it will cost to provide your support.

If you are already getting support from us and would like to find out more about direct payments please contact the office of your care manager or social worker.

If you are not getting support from us, or you don't know how to contact your social worker, and please contact Adult Social Care, below.

Leaflets and newsletter

Focus is produced for Direct Payment employers, carers and PAs. It contains clear, practical information, targeted at these groups but also relevant for other people. It includes information on personalisation and self-directed support.

Help and enquiries