Self Directed Payments

Direct Payments are a new way of getting the support that suits you and your lifestyle.

What is a Direct Payment?

A Direct Payment is NOT a benefit and will NOT affect your benefits.

A Direct Payment is a cash payment made by your local authority to you.

You can use this money to choose to buy services to meet your assessed needs.

You can become responsible for arranging and managing those services, but you can have as much help as you need to manage your Direct Payment. Some people get help from a friend, advocate, parent and organisation like Housecall Care and Support, and LCIL (Lothian Centre for Independent Living).

Who can get a Direct Payment?

• A person assessed as needing community care services.
• A disabled person over the age of 16 years.
• A child with a disability assessed as needing support.
• You can manage the scheme alone or with the assistance of others.

How can I get a Direct Payment?

You need to ask your social work department for a Direct Payment.

If you already receive a care or support service you need to tell your social worker you are interested in Direct Payments.

If you need help to manage your direct payment social work can help you find someone to support you with this.

What can I use a Direct Payment for?

• For support to meet your assessed needs.
• Support to live in your own home (this does not mean you have to live alone).
• Support to go out and about, to meet people and take part in the community.
• Support to go to college or get a job Support to go on a short break (respite) To help arrange your housing support needs.

You CANNOT use your Direct Payment to buy:

• Support from a close relative who lives in your house.
• Support from a close relative living elsewhere (except in exceptional circumstances).
• Health services

How Housecall Care and Support can help!

• By providing care and support services to suit YOUR needs.
• By ensuring our services are reliable and flexible and are provided by fully trained staff.
• By providing respite services.
• By providing Administrative support to help you with any paper work involved with Direct Payments.
• Housecall Care and Support is registered with the Care Commission.
• Housecall Care and Support will draw up a contract with you setting out what you can expect from them and what to do if you are unhappy with any part of the service.

Self Directed Payments or Direct Payments - Puts YOU in control

If you have an assessed community care need and you would like to manage your own services then Direct Payments might be the option for you.