Community Care
5. Local authority Direct Payments
You might have the option to arrange your own care with cash provided by the local authority, instead of receiving services. This system is called Direct Payments. Direct Payments allow you to decide who cares for you and how the money is spent.
What can I use Direct Payments for?
You can employ your own care workers or if you prefer, you can buy services from a voluntary or private agency. You may also be able to use Direct Payments to buy equipment or to pay for adaptations to your home. However, you usually can't use Direct Payments to pay a spouse or close relative if they live with you, although there are exceptions to this.
Unless you live in Scotland, you cannot use Direct Payments to buy services from your local authority. But it may be possible to have a combination of Direct Payments and services provided by social services. For example, your local authority may provide grab rails for your bathroom but you choose to use Direct Payments to employ a carer to help you get up in the mornings.
If you employ your own carer, you will need to deal with tax and national insurance. You will also need to make sure that you are insured in case your carer has an accident whilst caring for you. You should be able to get support from your local authority to help you manage your own care. A relative or friend may also be able to help.
Who can get Direct Payments?
The rules about who can get Direct Payments are different in each county. But all local authorities now have a duty to offer the option of Direct Payments to:
- disabled people; and
- anyone aged 65 or over who has been assessed as needing community care services.
They also have to offer Direct Payments to carers (except in Scotland where this duty only extends to carers of disabled children).
Your local authority will have to be satisfied that you are capable of handling Direct Payments alone or with assistance. They will expect you to provide detailed accounts of how you are spending the money.
To find out more about what is involved with Direct Payments and employing your own carer talk to the person doing your care assessment or contact SeniorLine.
Remember, you don't have to take a Direct Payment just because your local authority offers it to you. If you prefer you can have your care arranged for you by your local authority.
