Direct Payments – What are they and what’s changing?
What are Direct Payments?
Direct Payments are cash payments given to people that have been assessed as needing a particular type of service, in lieu of social service provisions. These Direct Payments can be made to disabled individuals who are aged 16 years or over, to carers aged 16 years or over in respect of Care Services and to people who have a parental responsibility for disabled children.
It is important to note that the Department of Health explains that also a person eligible for Direct Payment must “be able to consent to have a direct payment and have the capacity to manage one, although they can have assistance to manage their payment on a day-to-day basis.”
The main objective of the Direct Payment is to allow more flexibility, more choice and control over the lives of those individuals who qualify for this scheme by encouraging them to decide about how their care is delivered with the money given in lieu of their social care services.
The Direct Payment scheme is also crucial in delivering the Personalisation Agenda which has been set out to make sure that people will be able to live their own lives as they wish; confident that services are of high quality, are safe and promote their own individual needs for independence, well-being, and dignity. For more information on the Personalisation Agenda please click here.
Please see below for the Eligibility Rules published by the Department of Health for Direct Payment:
Eligibility
If you already receive social services
Your local council must 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. Your council will be able to tell you about these.
If you are not receiving social services
To get direct payments, you 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 carer aged 16 or over, including people with parental responsibility for a disabled child
- an older person
If you have 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 council for a new assessment.
Please remember that the amount you receive if you are eligible, will depend on the assessment your council makes of your needs.
Importantly, as of 9th November 2009, changes will come into effect and new regulations will extend the Direct Payments scheme to those that lack the capacity to consent and also to those with mental health problems. This will allow Direct Payments to be given to a an appropriate ‘suitable person’, such as a family member or friend, who will receive and manage the payments on behalf of the person who lacks capacity.
For more information please click here to see a copy of “A summary of changes to direct payments”. This outlines in detail the changes that are to be made. There are also further contacts should you wish to look into this in more detail. If you are interested in the Direct Payment scheme and think that you are eligable please click here to apply on-line.
