Direct Payments are cash payments made to people to pay for staff or services they would otherwise get from Social Services. They are an extra choice when deciding how you want to receive your services. They are not classed as income so they do not affect any state benefits you might receive.

Instead of receiving social services staff or services, you would open a bank account and receive a cash amount each month so you can arrange your own services to suit yourself.

The Direct Payments discussed here should not be confused with the direct payments made by the Department for Works and Pensions, where benefits and pensions are paid straight into someone’s bank account instead of collection at the Post Office.

Your Choices

Direct Payments are a choice. You can decide at any time to stop receiving them and have your services provided by Social Services. You may need to give us a little time to rearrange your support and we may not be able to provide it in the same way you received it with the Direct Payment.

How Direct Payments Can Help

The advantages include:

• Control over who helps you because you choose your own agency or employ your own staff
• Control over when your help is given allowing you to plan your day to day life
• Flexibility
• Greater independence
• Consistency because you can build relationships with staff of your own choosing who learn your way of being supported

Who Can Get Direct Payments?

To be able to get Direct Payments instead of services the following must apply:

• You are over 16 and have a disability
• You care for a disabled child under 18
• Social Services have assessed your need for support and have agreed with you how much support they will give
• That you have agreed to having Direct Payments
• That you are able to manage the money in organising your own support arrangements (please see next passage)

Managing the Money

Some people might worry about being able to manage the money and organising their own support. You would not have to do this on your own (unless, of course, you prefer to). Family and friends can help with this so long as you are in control over how the money is spent. Derby’s Direct Payments Support Service can give additional help. Disability Direct, which is an organization run by disabled people, operates this service.

Disability Direct have been giving advice to disabled people from Derby on a whole range of issues for the last ten years. This range of advice includes welfare benefits, independent living issues and Disability Discrimination Act advice. In particular they have been awarded the contract to provide information, advice and support about Direct Payments. Their advisors include Direct Payment users and they can help with all aspects of considering and managing this money and your support arrangements. They can be contacted on 01332 299449.

What the Money Can Be Spent On

The money must be spent on buying services that meet the needs you agreed with your worker. These will be detailed on your Care Plan. Depending on this agreement, these could include:

• Employing your own staff
• Paying a care agency
• Alternatives to traditional day services
• Buying respite or short break services
• Disability related equipment (where specifically recommended)

What Money Can Not Be Spent On

The money cannot be spent on things that have not been agreed with your worker or: -

• To buy any Local Authority service
• To pay for adaptations to your home
• To pay for health services you may need

More Information

If you already get services from Social Services, talk to your regular worker for more information.

If you think you should have services, phone 01332 717777 and ask for an assessment of your support needs.

Disability Direct

Disability Direct are an organisation of disabled people. They have been providing advice, information and support for disabled people in Derby for ten years.

They provide Derby's Direct Payment Support Service and can give advice and support on all aspects of Direct Payments.

Information for disabled people on a wide range of subjects can be found at:

Disability Direct
227 Normaton Road
Derby
DE23 6UT

Telephone: 01332 299449
Fax: 01332 368585
E Mail: info@disabilitydirectderby.co.uk
Website: Disability Direct in Derby 

Additional Information

Deparment of Health have some detailed information on Direct Payments:
Department of Health Website 

The National Centre for Independent Living was set up especially to promote the use of Direct Payments:
National Centre of Independent Living Website