Factsheet: Types of direct payment account

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Summary

April 2026

There are different ways to manage direct payments. This factsheet explains a bit more about them, so you can choose the right way for you.

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Client managed account

What is it?

We pay money into an account, and you can manage your own direct payments. You can use this money to pay personal assistants and care agency bills. It is secure and convenient.

How does it work?

If you choose this option, we will open a pre-paid card account for you. We will send you a card through the post, like a debit card.

We will pay your direct payments into the account every four weeks.
If you pay towards the cost of your support, you will pay your contribution into this account too. You can set up a weekly or 4-weekly standing order.

You can use your pre-paid card account to pay for your care and support. It works like a normal bank account. You can make payments online, by phone, direct debit, standing order and chip and PIN. You can also have a trusted person to help you run your account, called a ‘direct payment nominee’.

You can check how much is in your account using internet banking or by calling the customer service helpline.

Things to note

We can see your transactions online, to make sure your direct payments are used to pay for care that meets your needs (as outlined in your support plan).
You cannot withdraw cash. If you need to make cash payments, contact us.
If your card is lost or stolen, call the customer service helpline. Your old card will be frozen and a new card will be sent to you.
There is no overdraft, so you can only spend the money in your direct payment card account.

East Sussex County Council (ESCC) managed account

What is it?

You may choose an ESCC managed account if you are using direct payments to buy:

home care
day care services
a self-employed personal assistant

How does it work?

We pay your direct payments into an account and we manage your bills for you. This does not cost you anything. You lose a bit of day-to-day control over your budget, but it’s easier than managing it yourself.

If you pay towards your care and support, you can set up a direct debit to make these payments.

The Direct Payments team will let you know if there are any problems with your account. You can request an account statement at any time.

Things to note

To pay the bills for your care, ask the care provider to:

send a copy of the 4-weekly bill to direct.payments.invoices@eastsussex.gov.uk for the Direct Payments team to pay
send you a copy of the bill to check it is correct. Let the Direct Payments team know if it isn’t
provide your bills using ‘real time telephone monitoring’ if they can. It uses your phone to record the amount of time the agency has worked. It means you will only be charged for the actual hours of care you have received.

Support service managed account

What is it?

A support service managed account is useful if you use direct payments to pay for lots of different services. For example, employing a personal assistant, paying wages, tax bills, insurance, expenses, and other care agency bills.

You will have to pay a fee for this account from your direct payment. Your social care worker will include the cost in your weekly direct payment.

How does it work?

You pay a provider to set up your account and pay your bills for you. We will pay in the money for your direct payments and you will pay in your contribution towards your care.

Your social care worker can help you find a good provider. It costs around £10.50 per week.

Things to note

The company managing your account will let you know if there are any problems and should send you regular statements.
They will monitor what your direct payments are used for and share it with us.
It does not include a payroll service. The provider will pay wage and tax bills, but do not calculate the amounts for you.
Terms and conditions and costs can vary between providers. It’s important to understand what is included.

If you have more questions, ask your social care worker. They can also talk to you about organisations that provide this service.