Direct Payments
Would You Like More Choice And Control Over How Your Services Are Provided?
A direct payment is a cash payment made by the local authority to you or your representative to buy the community care or children’s services you have been assessed as needing.
Why would I want a direct payment?
A direct payment can give you more choice and control over the way services are provided as well as promoting independence and improving the quality of life for you or your family because you can manage your own services.
What can I use Direct Payment for?
Direct Payment may be used to buy:
- Practical help, assistance or support in the home such as cleaning, cooking or personal care
- Support during the day, for example with shopping or recreational activities
- Support with short respite breaks (although there are limits to the length of respite that can be bought)
- Support with getting a job, educational activities
How does it work?
You or your representative will receive a cash payment to buy the services you have been assessed as needing. This can be from an agency, personal assistants, a local authority or a mixture of these. You cannot:
- buy care from somebody who usually lives with you or from a relative
- buy health or housing services
- use a direct payment for long term residential care
Who is eligible to apply for a direct payment?
- Disabled adults to buy community care services
- Disabled young people aged 16 and 17 to buy children’s services
- Disabled people with parental responsibility to buy children’s services
- Individuals with parental responsibility for a disabled child to buy the services their children have been assessed as needing
- Disabled people (including children) to buy housing support services
- Representatives with relevant powers on behalf of disabled people who are unable to give consent
Am I automatically entitled to direct payments?
No. You must be willing and able to manage a direct payment, have the ability to state preference and make choices, (with support if required).
Direct Payments Officer
Social Work
Fairfield House
8 Lothian Road
Dalkeith
EH22 3ZH
Phone: 0131 271 3637