Decide if a direct payment is right for you

Direct payments give you more flexibility over arranging your care and how you get it.  

It can make it easier to fit your care around your life and suit your needs.   

For example, you could choose to hire care workers or personal assistants who: 

  • are always the same people and available when you need them  
  • speak the same language as you  
  • have experience with your care needs 

You will get support to manage your direct payments. But there are a few things you need to do if you get your personal budget as a direct payment.  

Your responsibilities 

You will need to:  

  • only spend money on things that help meet your care and support needs 
  • keep a record of how you spend your direct payment and share this with us 
  • pay any additional costs that were set out from your financial assessment 
  • recruit, pay and manage any staff you employ fairly, in a way that meet legal requirements. We can give you advice and help to do this 

Direct payments may not be for you if you: 

  • prefer not to manage money or the people you employ 
  • spend a lot of time in hospital 
  • would rather the council arrange your care 

Get advice about direct payments

You can talk to the direct payment team by: