Guide to direct payments
2. How you can spend direct payments
There are a few specific rules around how you can spend direct payments.
The main rule is that you must use them to meet your eligible care and support needs. These will be agreed in advance as part of your support plan.
Employing personal assistants
Some people choose to use direct payments to employ their own staff called personal assistants. Personal assistants can help you with:
- personal care, such as getting washed and dressed
- household tasks, such as cleaning and tidying
- attending activities outside your home
There is lots of help available for people who want to employ their own personal assistants. This is explained on the next page of this guide.
Buying support from companies
Many companies and voluntary organisations provide services such as home care, respite care or day care.
Respite and short breaks
Some people choose to use direct payments to arrange short breaks from caring (respite care).
What else can direct payments be used for?
You can use direct payments to pay for anything that meets your needs and has been agreed in your support plan. You can discuss the different options with your social care worker.
Find out more in our factsheet:
How direct payments will be paid to you
We offer several options for how direct payments can be paid to you. These each offer different ways you can make payments and record how you have used the money.
Please see our factsheet for more information:
