Direct payments

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