Adult and Consumer Care give you a sum of money to help
you live more independently, and then you decide how you spend it.
After an assessment, you can decide to have a direct payment, as an
alternative to a service. You spend the money on getting the
support and care that you choose, to meet your assessed needs.
Direct payments are also available for carers.
A leaflet explaining about Direct Payments is now available
Q. What is a direct payment?
A. A direct payment is
intended to support independent living; it is money Telford &
Wrekin Adult and Consumer Care can give you. It is a way of getting
the support you have been assessed as needing. You use it to buy
the services you want.
Adult and Consumer Care give you the money instead of providing
a care service. You spend the money on getting support that meets
your assessed needs.
Q. Who can receive direct payments?
A. Direct
payments are now available to all adult groups within Adult and
Consumer Care.
This includes those with a sensory impairment, physical
disability, mental health issues, older people, learning disability
and 16 and 17 year olds and their carers.
To receive a direct payment you must be assessed as needing
community care services.
Q. What can I spend the direct payment on?
A. You
must use the direct payment to buy support that meets your
needs.
You choose what that support is, who provides it and where.
A direct payment is not an extra income, and does not affect any
other benefits you may be receiving.
Q. Why would I want a direct payment?
A. A direct
payment is designed to give you more control and choice regarding
your services.
You can decide how your needs are met, by whom and when.
You make the arrangements to employ staff directly or use a care
agency of your choice.
Q. What do I do now?
A. To find out if you qualify
for a direct payment contact Telford & Wrekin Adult and
Consumer Care and ask for an assessment if this has not already
been done.
Ask the social worker about the option of direct payments for
the services you receive at present or could receive in the
future.
What support is available
Telford & Wrekin Council has a direct payments team who can
offer free advice and support.
You can get a copy of the guide to employing your own Personal
Assistant (PA) and the Service Users Guidance by clicking on the
link on the right.
If you wish to view a video about the benefits of a direct
payment you can view the video at the
Age Concern website
Newsletter for August
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Newsletter for December is now
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