How you can use a direct payment
Direct payments give you choice and flexibility. You can use them to:
- employ a personal assistant (PA)
- use a care agency
- take part in community activities, such as day centres, swimming or art classes
- buy specialist equipment or minor adaptations that help you meet your assessed needs
- arrange short-term support if your informal carer is away or on holiday
Direct payments can only be used for support agreed in your support plan.
You can use a direct payment to buy equipment that better suits your lifestyle. Sometimes this is a one‑off payment and does not require a separate direct payment bank account.
Things you cannot use a direct payment for
You cannot use a direct payment to:
- pay for long-term residential care
- buy household services, such as cleaning
- pay for anything that is not included in your assessed needs or support plan
You may not be eligible for direct payments if you:
- are in the criminal justice system
- receive certain types of treatment under the Mental Health Act
- have capital above the financial threshold for Adult Social Care