Help with Direct Payments

Take control of your lifestyle! If you’re thinking about breaking away from Social Services to create your own independent living package, get in touch with Aspirall first for a friendly, confidential chat about Direct Payments. We’ll give you sensible, practical advice.

By telephone: call Jeanette Murray on 0191 5512864
By email: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

What are Direct Payments?

The way forward for Social Care is to put control in people’s own hands. Proposed by disabled people, the Government’s new social care system puts you in control, letting you choose and pay for the support you want. This is arranged via Direct Payments. If you seek independent living and want to take control of your own social care, Direct Payments could be just the thing. Direct Payments are cash payments. So instead of Social Services arranging services for you, you’re free to choose, arrange and pay for your own support.

Am I eligible for Direct Payments?

Disabled people aged 16 and over including:

• Older people
• People who have physical and sensory impairments
• People who have learning difficulties
• People who have mental health issues
• People with parental responsibility for a disabled child 
• Carers assessed as needing services
• People with short-term needs (for instance someone who needs help at home while recovering from an operation).
• (Most people receiving social services are eligible for Direct Payments)
• 
  

How do I get a Direct Payments?

Direct Payments are assessed in the same way as any social care service. Under new rules, your Social Worker is required by law to offer you Direct Payments during your community care assessment. If you already use Social Services, contact your Social Worker to talk it through.

What do I need to think about?

You can’t normally use Direct Payments to pay a partner, spouse or close relative that you live with.

• You can’t use Direct Payments to pay for permanent residential or nursing care.
• You can choose a mixture of Social Services support and Direct Payments.
• For instance you could use Direct Payments to pay a helper for daily personal care.
• And you could also attend a Social Services Day Centre. 
• Direct Payments are not benefits. They don’t affect your tax or Social Security payments. 
• Direct Payments come from public funds.
• You need to keep detailed records and open a separate bank account to handle your Direct Payments.

• Direct Payments

               If you value your independence and want to take control of your own social care,

               Direct Payments could be just the thing. Direct Payments are cash payments. So instead

               of Social Services arranging services for you, you’re free to choose, arrange and pay
               for your own support.

Am I eligible for Direct Payments?

Disabled people aged 16 and over including:

• Older people.
• People who have physical and sensory impairments.
• People who have learning difficulties.
• People who have mental health issues.
• People with parental responsibility for a disabled child.
• Carers assessed as needing services.
• People with short-term needs (for instance someone who needs help at home while recovering from an operation). (Most people receiving social services are eligible for Direct Payments).
  

What’s so good about Direct Payments?

• You take control over your own personal care arrangements
• You employ your own staff or employ assistants via a specialist Agency
• Like any adult, you have the independence to control the way you live your own life

Government Guidelines

For detailed information about Direct Payments, visit the Gov direct website: http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/DisabledPeople/FinancialSupport/DG_10016128

Warning! Direct Payments don’t guarantee independent living?

Just because you are receiving Direct payments doesn’t mean you’re automatically on track for independent living. Real independent living depends on the quality of the assistance you buy. A PA’s poor attitude, limited experience, insufficient training and lack of appreciation of key issues can mean all sorts of barriers remain in your way. Unlike most agencies we train our Assistants comprehensively in real-life situations. So they know how to help you achieve real independent living. 

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