If you’re 18 or over with eligible care and support needs (physical disability, learning disability, mental health condition, sensory impairment), you can request a direct payment.
Direct payments give you money instead of services. Instead of us arranging your care, we give you the money to arrange the support you need yourself.
This gives you more choice and control over who provides your care, when, and how.
What direct payments can be used for
You can use your direct payment for services and support agreed in your Care and Support Plan:
- employing Personal Assistants to help you
- paying care agencies
- day services and activities
- respite care (for carers)
- equipment and aids
- transport to activities
- support to maintain your home
- therapeutic services
- support services (payroll, advice)
You usually cannot employ close family members who live in the same household as you, except in exceptional circumstances approved by us.
You cannot use direct payments for:
- permanent residential care
- NHS healthcare, medicines, or medical equipment
- household bills (gas, electric, water, food)
- major home improvements
- anything illegal or harmful
- gambling, alcohol, tobacco
How direct payments work
We pay money into your account every 4 weeks (2 weeks in advance, 2 weeks in arrears).
You can choose to:
- employ Personal Assistants (PAs) – you become their employer with responsibilities for payroll, tax, insurance, employment law
- use care agencies – they employ the staff, you pay for the service
- mix of both – some care from PAs, some from agencies
Payment methods:
- Pre-Paid Card (PPC) – most common, works like a bank card, you manage it
- Managed Bank Account (MBA) – if you need more support, a provider manages the account and handles payroll