Direct payments enable you to arrange and pay for the care and support we have agreed you need, instead of us doing it for you. This gives you more flexibility and control to employ someone you like to support you.
We will give this money to you on a regular basis. It will be paid into a dedicated bank account, in your name, for the sole purpose of using this money to pay for your care and support. You can:
- manage this bank account yourself; or
- we will support you to open a managed bank account if you prefer
We will ask you to sign a direct payment agreement once your care plan and the amount of money you need to buy care and support has been agreed. The money will then be paid directly to your bank account - the amount of money you receive will depend on the assessment of your social care needs and how much you’ve been asked to pay yourself following your financial assessment.
This money does not affect any other benefits you may receive.
What you can buy with direct payments
The direct payment money you receive can only be spent on services and equipment which are lawful, keep you safe and help you with your agreed social care needs.
You can use direct payments to pay for:
- employing your own staff (sometimes called personal assistants) to help with personal care, social activities, maintaining relationships and support around the home
- buying services from a care and support agency
- buying services from voluntary and community organisations
- arranging short breaks
- buying assistive equipment for your home
- help to support you with living a healthy lifestyle
You cannot use direct payments to pay for:
- permanent residential and nursing care
- NHS services or health equipment
- employing someone living in the same household as you
- services provided by North Yorkshire Council
- personal household items
- accommodation and housing costs
- alcohol, drugs, gambling and so on
Your social worker will provide more information about what you can and cannot spend your direct payment on, depending on your individual circumstances.
This video provides an example of how direct payments are used by local resident, Gordon:
Using your direct payment
Whilst direct payments give you more choice and control, you, or the person you choose to manage your direct payments, are still accountable to us for how the money is spent. You will need to keep records of how your direct payment is spent and share these records with us on a regular basis.
If you choose to receive a direct payment, you are taking on the responsibility of buying and arranging your own support. This might include responsibilities as an employer.
If your financial assessment outlined that you have to pay a contribution yourself towards your care, you will need to arrange to pay this into your direct payment bank account either weekly or every four-weeks. Setting up a standing order from your personal account is usually the easiest way.
Who can request a direct payment
You can get a direct payment if:
- you have eligible social care needs
- you can make decisions for yourself
- you can manage a direct payment alone or with help
- it will help you to meet your eligible needs
If you already receive care and support services, you can speak to your social worker who will explain how a direct payment can work for you.
If you are requesting social care services for the first time, your social worker should discuss direct payments with you when they assess your social care needs.
Helping you manage your direct payment
If you choose to receive a direct payment, you will be allocated a direct payments advisor to help you manage your payments. They will offer you support, information and advice about all aspects of your direct payment including:
- costing your care and support
- recruiting personal assistants
- employer responsibilities
- employment contracts
- registering with a payroll provider
- buying services from agencies
- setting up a dedicated bank account
- connecting you to other direct payment users
- submitting information to show us how your direct payment is spent
- reviews to discuss how your direct payment is working for you
At any time, you can decide to stop receiving direct payments and ask to receive support in a different way. You should discuss this with your social worker or your direct payments advisor.
For more information, please read our direct payments factsheets.