Direct payments are local council payments for people who have
been assessed as needing help from social services, and who would
like to arrange and pay for their own care and support services
instead of receiving them directly from the local council.
A person must be able to give their consent to receiving direct
payments and be able to manage them even if they need help to do
this on a day-to-day basis.
Quick links to questions:
Who is eligible for Direct Payments?
How much do you get?
How is it paid?
What can you use direct payments for?
Do I have to provide records?
Can carers get Direct Payments?
Will they affect other benefits?
What to do if your circumstances
change?
Where do I go for more information?
How can I appeal against a decision?
Help and Advocacy from Age Concern
Leicester, Shire and Rutland
Who is eligible?
If you already receive social services, your local council is obliged
to offer you the option of direct payments in place of the services
you currently receive. (There are some limited circumstances where
you are not given this choice and your council will be able to tell
you about these.)
If you're not receiving social services, you'll need to contact
your local council to ask them to assess your needs. Social services
(and therefore direct payments) are normally available if you are:
• Disabled and aged 16 or over
• A parent or carer aged 16 or over (including people with
parental responsibility for a disabled child)
• An older person
• If you've been refused social services
• If your local council has decided that you do not need
social care services, it will not offer you direct payments. If
you think your needs or circumstances have now changed, ask your
local council for a new assessment.
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