Frequently Asked Questions about Direct Payments

Answers to frequently asked questions about Direct Payments and how you can use them.

How much would the direct payment be? 

Direct payments are based on the amount and type of care you need. This is assessed by a care manager. You can choose to receive direct payments for all your care, or just some parts of it. 
 
We will agree a reasonable cost for the care, including money for recruiting staff, insurance, wages and other costs such as national insurance, holiday, sickness and maternity pay. Usually this will be based on an hourly rate for the care needed.  

We cannot pay more than it would cost if we arranged the service ourselves. 
 
We will assess how much you can afford to pay yourself towards the cost of your support, using the same rules that apply to charges for services. You can either pay this separately or have it subtracted from your direct payments. 
 

What would my responsibilities be? 

If you choose direct payments, you will have to: 

• Use the money to pay for the help your community care assessment shows you need. 

• Keep records of how the money is used. 

• Be accountable for the way the money is spent. 

• Be responsible for arranging your own care (including back up arrangements). 

• Take on the responsibilities of an employer if you employ your own staff. 

Can I get help managing direct payments? 

Yes. The person receiving the direct payment must be able to make decisions about the support they buy in, but they can get help with the day-to-day management of things like paperwork.
 
This can come from us, from family or friends, or through legal arrangements like a trust or power of attorney.  

For instance, you may want help with: 

• How to recruit and select personal assistants. 

• How to write job descriptions and contracts. 

• How to become an employer. 

• How to deal with tax and national insurance.   

 

What monitoring & review would there be? 

You will continue to have a care manager, who reviews your circumstances regularly. If your needs have changed, or if the rules about how much support we can provide have changed, this may lead to an increase or reduction in payments. 

We would also do an annual check on how you are using the money and what services you have arranged. 
 

Further information

Please click here to go to the Information Sheet section of our website which includes two Information Sheets about Direct Payments.