Over 2,000 people are using direct payments in Essex, this includes people with learning difficulties, mental health problems, older people, people with a physical and/or sensory impairment, carers, and people with parental responsibility for disabled children.Arranging and managing your own care can bring with it choice, flexibility independence and control.
Arranging and managing your own care can bring with it choice, flexibility independence and control.
What are Direct Payments?
Direct Payments are cash payments made to an individual instead of a community care service giving a person choice to buy and arrange their own support.
Who can receive Direct Payments?
Direct Payments can be made regardless of age. For people under 16 these payments are made to an adult who has parental responsibility. People can also use direct payments to manage services they have as carers.
What can you buy with a Direct Payment?
You can use your Direct Payment to purchase and arrange your support in any way you choose. (You are not able to employ a relative living in your home or other people living in your home unless there are exceptional circumstances) Direct payments can also be made for day care or short breaks but not for permanent residential care.
How much money will I get?
Before a Direct Payment is arranged an assessor will have discussed with you the amount of support in hours that you are eligible to receive. Once this has been agreed it will be set out in a care plan or on another form. Your assessor will then explain to you how much money you will receive for each hour of support you require. You will be asked to sign an agreement explaining how you can use the Direct Payment, as well as what records you need to keep.
What support is available?
Independent Living Advocacy Essex (ILA Essex) provide independent support and advice to all Direct Payment users in Essex. Contact ILA Essex for a Direct Payment Information Pack on 01245 380888 or see their website at www.ilaessex.com.
Essex Personal Assistant Support Scheme provides payroll facilities and assistance with record keeping as well as a Personal Assistant register. Visit their website at www.ecdp.org.uk/pass.
What information do Essex County Council provide on Direct Payments?
A number of leaflets on this subject are available from our action line: 0845 6037630 (for adults) or 0845 6037627 (for children).
Contact your assessor for further information. If you don't have an assessor telephone the action line 0845 603 7630 and ask for an assessment, or email essdirect@essexcc.gov.uk.
Further Online Help
National Centre for Independent Living
Two very useful booklets can be obtained by calling 0207 507 1663 or got to the NCIL website at www.ncil.org.uk:
SCOPE
For young disapled people, SCOPE have produced a really useful guide called 'My Money, My Way - A young person's guide to Direct Payments'. Click here to view the document.
For parents of disabled children, SCOPE have also produced a really useful guide for parents called 'In the driving seat: Direct Payments for your child'. Click here to view the document.
Age Concern
A direct payment factsheet from age concern can be found here.
Department of Health
Visit the Department of Health Website for a very helpful Guide to Direct Payments and an Easy guide to Direct Payments for people with learning difficulties. You can also view A Parents Guide to Direct Payments. These booklets can all be ordered free of charge from the Department of Health Website.
Tailored Interactive Guide to Employment Rights (TIGER)
TIGER is designed to provide user-friendly guide through different aspects of employment rights. Visit www.tiger.gov.uk for more information.
Independent Living Fund
The Independent Living Fund also provides cash payments to diasabled people aged 16 or over and who qualify. For further information visit www.ilf.org.uk.
Click here to see a Proforma letter to open a bank account for direct payments when banks are not co-operative.
