Direct Payments

Do you wish for more independence?

Do you want greater control over who provides your care or support?

Do you wish you could receive your care when you want it?

Direct Payments could be the answer

What are Direct Payments?

• Direct Payments are an alternative to receiving services directly from Social Services.
• Social Services provide you with the cash to purchase your own care and support.
• This could be through contacting an agency or by employing a personal assistant.

Who can receive Direct Payments?

• Anyone who uses or is eligible to use community care services.
• Each person has to be considered to be "able and willing" to manage their Direct Payment.
• This includes :
  • physically disabled people,
  • people with learning difficulties,
  • people with HIV and AIDS,
  • people with mental health issues,
  • people with sensory impairments,
  • older people,
  • 16 - 17 year olds,
  • parents of disabled children
  • for equipment

Click here for more information on User Controlled Trusts.

How do I get Direct Payments?

• Contact Social Services on 01925 444239 to arrange for a social worker to visit you to carry out an assessment of your needs. Alternatively, contact your existing social worker to discuss the next steps, if you have one.
• How much money you receive depends on how much support you are assessed as needing.

What support can I get to manage my Direct Payment?

• The Independent Living Team can support you with all aspects of recruitment, employment law, and all matters relating to living independently in one's own home.
• Warrington Disability Partnership offers a Payroll Service to assist you with paying your Personal Assistant including calculating tax and national insurance.

If you require any further information please contact Julie Boyd at the Independent Living Team:

Warrington Disability Partnership
Centre for Independent Living
Beaufort Street
Warrington
WA5 1BA

Tel: 01925 240064
Fax: 01925 247503
j.boyd@disabilitypartnership.org.uk