Support in my own home

 
 

Direct payments

What are they?
Direct Payments are a different way of getting the support you need. Instead of getting services provided by social services, you can be given the money to buy the care you need and choose the kind of support that is right for you.

If you are eligible for assistance from Westminster's Adults Services Department and can manage your own services either alone or with some help, or you are a person with parental responsibility for a disabled child and eligible for assistance from Westminster's Children, Young People and Family Services, you could get a Direct Payment.

Direct Payments allows you to make the most of your life by giving you flexibility, choice and control over your care.

Direct Payments are available to those who have been assessed as eligible for a service and are:

  • Older people
  • Physically disabled people aged 16 and over
  • People with HIV/Aids
  • People with a mental health difficulty
  • People with a learning disability
  • A person with parental responsibility for a disabled child
  • Carers aged 16 in respect of carers services
  • People with Sensory Needs.

Direct Payments are available to those who are willing and able, either alone or with help, to manage them.
Some people are currently excluded from receiving Direct Payments. These are certain groups excluded by mental health or criminal legislation and also people who do not have capacity –i.e. people who have difficulty making decisions due to memory problems.

For more information on Direct Payments, please click on the link to refer to our leaflet,

or please see our Direct Payments Booklet, which has some Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

There is also dedicated help available to older people who are thinking about Direct Payments

 

NEW from September 2008, we are introducing a pilot for people to receive their Direct Payments via a pre-loaded card. Please see our leaflet for more information and contact your social care worker for more information if you are interested (see details of who do I contact)


How do I get Direct Payments
You will need to be assessed as to how much care and what type of care you need as well as your eligibility for Direct Payments. If you are eligible for Direct Payments, you will get the same amount of care as if you were getting care provided by Social Services - there is no difference. You also need to agree to be an employer and take on these responsibilities. You will need to open a dedicated bank account and agree to do certain bits of paperwork. This is not as difficult as it might sound and you will get help and support with it. Westminster works in partnership with an organisation called Penderels Trust, who give all the advice and support needed to help you with the scheme.
Assessment

Who do I contact?
You should contact the care management or social work team that covers your area and ask to discuss Direct Payments. If you already have a social care worker, you can discuss Direct Payments with them.
Contact

Is there a charge?
You will be assessed to pay for your care provided by Direct Payments. This assessment is undertaken in the same way as if you were receiving services provided by this Department. The finance and charging section will contact you about this assessment.

At the present time, parents of disabled children are not financially assessed.

Fairer Charges for Home Care
Payment for Care

Direct Payments will not affect your benefits entitlement.


Useful contacts
Penderels Trust website
Penderels Westminster office: e-mail: westminster@penderelstrust.org.uk
Or Tel: 020 7641-3816

National Centre for Independent Living

Department of Health – Direct Payments information