How direct payments must be used
Direct payments must only be used to pay for the care services which meet your assessed needs. Your social worker will help you decide the best way to spend your direct payments.
Here are some examples of what your direct payment could be spent on:
- employing a personal assistant to help with everyday living skills
- an agreement with a care agency to buy help with personal care
- buying a piece of equipment
- support to access the local community, such as leisure and social activities
- help to access further education and employment opportunities
- support to keep your home safe
You can find information in the direct payments handbook about:
- how the payments are made to you
- how to manage your direct payment
- how to keep records of how you spend your direct payments
- what you can and can’t spend your direct payments on
If you choose to employ a personal assistant (PA) with your direct payment money, we have developed an 'Being a good employer' guide which has lots of useful advice, information and guidance on being a good employer. It includes lots of templates to help you recruit, induct, and manage your personal assistant.
