Direct Payments

Welcome to our Direct Payments Web Pages

We've aimed to make these pages a useful resource both for people who want to find out more about Direct Payments as well as for those who have already decided to use them. Find out more about how Direct Payments could be useful to you or someone you care for.

Why not add us to your favourites now?! - www.durham.gov.uk/directpayments

We can provide all of our information here in different formats such as Braille and on tape, DVD or CD so that you can share it with family or friends you know or care for who you think may be interested in Direct Payments. Contact us on 0191 370 8825 to request this. Also, most pages have a PDF document/attachment at the bottom which you can open and print easily.

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If you’re new to the idea of Direct Payments don’t worry…Durham County Council has a team of helpful and knowledgeable people on hand to guide you through the process. They can visit you at home to chat through your different options and once you’re up and running they’re still just a phone call away if you have any queries.

More Information

Each of these links takes you to a new page which contains information from Durham County Council plus links to external organisations which also provide information about Direct Payments.

• An introduction to Direct Payments
• Your questions answered
• Your Direct Payments checklist
• Direct Payments events
• Glossary
• Real-life stories
• Buying services or employing a Personal Assistant
• Opening a bank account for your Direct Payments money
• Managing your Direct Payments money and paperwork
• Direct Payments and Independent Living Funds
• Direct Payments for carers
• Direct Payments for children
• Direct Payments for people with a learning disability
• Direct Payments Survey

Contact Social Care Direct

Social Care Direct is open from 8.00am until 8.00pm, Monday to Friday and Saturday morning from 9.00am until 1.00pm.

You can contact Social Care Direct using one of the following methods:
Tel: 0845 8505010
Fax: 0191 3835752
Minicom: 01429 884124
Email: scd@durham.gov.uk
Text message/SMS from your mobile: 07786 027280
Online Enquiry Form: Social Care Direct online enquiry form