An Introduction

This page explains what Direct Payments are and how they work, to help you decide if you, or someone you know or care for, are eligible to receive them.

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.

Read or download our new information booklet 'Direct Payments - What they are and how they work'
What are Direct Payments?
Who are Direct Payments for?
What kinds of things can you use Direct Payments for?
Are there any restrictions?
What to do next
Links to more information

What are Direct Payments?

A Direct Payment is money you receive directly from the Council to buy your own care or support services, rather than having social care staff arrange these for you. This puts you in charge of your own care or support arrangements, giving you choice and flexibility over who gives you your care and how and when it is delivered.

Who are Direct Payments for?

You, or someone you care for, may need help or support and could use Direct Payments because of needs arising from:

A physical disability.
A learning disability.
A sensory loss such as being deaf or blind.
A mental health problem.
A long-term illness.
An injury to your brain.
Being frail or an older person.
Being a a carer who needs help to carry on providing care.

Or because you have:

A child who has a disability.

What kinds of things can you use Direct Payments for?

Support with personal care like having a bath, washing and getting dressed or cooking and eating a meal.
Support so that you can live in your own home, which may include help with shopping, cleaning or managing money.
Help to get out and about; to go to the doctors, shops, cinema, pub, theatre, your local support group or other social activities.

You can choose to employ someone to help you and can choose who that person is, so you’ll know that you trust and get along with them. You could also decide to buy services from a service provider, for example a day care or homecare provider, but as you will be paying for it yourself and arranging with them directly, you can talk to them about how you wish your care needs to be met. Having the money to pay for your own help means that you can arrange it so that it is flexible and individual to your needs.

Are there any restrictions?

You will not be able to use Direct Payments to:

Buy services from the local council, health housing authorities.
Buy long term residential care.
Pay household bills or other personal expenses unless agreed by your social worker.

And you will not normally be able to use Direct Payments to employ anyone living in your household.

The following groups of people may be eligible to receive Direct Payments:

Older people and disabled people aged 16 and over.
A person with parental responsibility for a disabled child.
A disabled person with parental responsibility for a child.
Carers aged 16 and over.

The money is not extra income or an extra benefit and it will not affect benefits you may already receive. You must be willing and able to manage the payments (with support if required). A small number of people are excluded from the right to have Direct Payments if they have their services arranged under mental health or criminal justice legislation.

More Information, What To Do Next and Who To Speak To

See more information on this website. At the bottom of each page (including at the bottom of this one!) are links to national organisations who also support Direct Payment users.

If you already receive care services from the Council and have a social worker or care co-ordinator, speak to them about using Direct Payments as part of your care package. All social workers know about Direct Payments and should offer this option to you.

If you don’t have a social worker or care co-ordinator and you feel you would benefit from social care services and Direct Payments, you can refer yourself for an assessment of your needs by contacting Social Care Direct.

Links to External Organisations and Information You may find Useful

National Centre for Independent Living (NCIL) - NCIL is a national support, advice and consultancy organisation that aims to enable disabled people to be equal citizens with choice, control, rights and full economic, social and cultural lives. Their website is designed to be a resource on independent living, Direct Payments and individual budgets for disabled people and others working in the field.
Department of Health - The Department of Health has a range of publications including 'A Guide to receiving Direct Payments from your Local Council - a route to independent living', 'A Parent's Guide to Direct Payments' and 'An Easy Guide to receiving Direct Payments'. From the homepage go to >Policy and guidance >Organisation policy >Finance and planning >Direct Payments.

Read or download our new information booklet 'Direct Payments - What they are and how they work'

You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to view this information.

PDF Icon Direct Payments booklet.pdf (17 pages, 737kb)

Publication date: June 2008
Contact: Marketing Team, Adult and Community Services.
Tel: 0191 370 8825 - please call us if you would like copies of this booklet posting to you for personal or professional use. This booklet is also available on audio CD or cassette.