Staying in control with direct payments
Find out about the system of direct payments and how
they can help you take more control over the care you
use.
Putting people in control
You can manage your own care and budgets if you want to. To give
more power to the people who use social care, the Government
introduced a new system called direct
payments.
This gives you the ability to choose and buy your own care. With
direct payments, the council pays you an agreed amount (less any
amount you have to pay yourself).
You can then hire the care service of your choice. That way
they work for you and not for the council.
You have a right to buy and manage your own care if you
want.
The council must offer you the option of direct payments, but
you will need to do your homework to make sure
that direct payments are best for you.
Next steps
Get help with direct payments: how to
contact your local direct payments support scheme
Things to consider: you will need to
do your homework to make sure that direct payments are best for
you.
What will the council pay?: find out
what the council is responsible for when it comes to direct
payments