Direct payments - What are they, who can get them?

There is quite a lot of confusion about the term “direct payment”. Direct payments can mean two things – the direct payment of state benefits into a bank account or the direct payments that can be made by Social Services to someone who has support and care needs so that they can arrange and pay for their own care. This article is about the second type of direct payment.

Direct Payments are cash payments made in lieu of social service provisions, to individuals who have been assessed as needing services. They can be made to disabled people aged 16 or over, to people with parental responsibility for disabled children, and to carers aged 16 or over in respect of carer services.

The aim of a direct payment is to give more flexibility in how services are provided to many individuals who are assessed eligible for social services support. By giving individuals money in lieu of social care services people have greater choice and control over their lives, and are able to make their own decisions about how their care is delivered.

The National Centre for Independent Living (NCIL) produces “Everything you need to know about getting and using Direct Payments” and other useful information www.ncil.org.uk