A direct payment is a payment of all, or part of, your
personal budget that is made to you. You can choose how
you spend the money to meet the objectives that you have agreed in
your support plan.
A direct payment helps you to take control of the money available
to meet your care needs, and it means that you have the choice
about what you spend it on. You may choose to buy services from an
agency or you may want to employ your own staff to help you. You
can also use your direct payment to do other things that will help
you to achieve things that you have agreed in your support plan.
For instance, your support plan may say that you want to get out of
your house more to spend time with other people - you could choose
to use your direct payment to go to a local group or club or the
gym.
If you choose to take your personal budget as a direct payment,
then you, or the person(s) acting on your behalf, are responsible
for how the money is spent. There is support, help and advice
available to you from Suffolk Independent Living Service if you
would like it.
If you do not wish to take your personal budget as a direct
payment then the Social Care team can help you to use your personal
budget by arranging services for you. The person who is helping you
with planning your support will help you to work out what is the
best option for you.
Having a direct payment should help you to be more independent
and to have more choice and control over how you meet your
needs.
There are certain cases where a direct payment can not be used.
A direct payment can not be used to pay for a permanent stay in a
residential or nursing care home. Also a small number of people are
unable to get a direct payment because they are subject to certain
orders of a Court, or are detained in hospital under the Mental
Health Act.
For more information about this contact
Customer First
More information