Direct Payments

Direct Payments provide people with the opportunity to take more control over the decisions that affect their lives and the flexibility to receive services which really suit their individual needs and lifestyle, often allowing people to live much more independently.

Who can receive Direct Payments?

• People with physical, sensory or learning disabilities
• Older people
• People with mental health needs
• People with HIV/AIDS
• Carers aged 16 years and over.
• Parents of disabled childre
• Young disabled people aged 16 and 17 years

You can receive Direct Payments as long as:

• You have been assessed as needing services
• You are willing to receive Direct Payments
• You can consent to receiving direct payments and can manage them with or without assistance
• If for a disabled child, the child is living at home

What can I use Direct Payments for?

You can use Direct Payments to purchase support to meet your assessed social care needs including:

• Home support
• Day services
• Short breaks
• Equipment
• Leisure Link and leisure activities (for disabled children) or a combination of these services

People use Direct Payments in many different ways depending on their own circumstances and personal preferences. Two of the most common ways of using Direct Payments are contracting directly with a care agency or directly employing someone o provide the support and care required.

What can I not use Direct Payments for?

You cannot use Direct Payments to purchase any of the following:

• Services from a Local Authority
• Health Care Services
• Housing
• Permanent residential or nursing care

What if I already receive services from Adult or Children's Services?

You can still receive Direct Payments if you are already receiving services from Adult or Children's Services by transferring some or all of your care and support to Direct Payments.You can receive a mixture of both Direct Payments and services arranged directly by Adult or Children's Services.

Will Direct Payments affect my Social Security benefits?

No. Direct Payments will not be taken into account when calculating your entitlement to means-tested Social Security benefits.

Will I have to pay anything towards Direct Payments?

If the Direct Payment relates to an adult, Adult Services will assess the contribution you are required to pay towards the cost of the services you receive. This contribution would be the same whether you choose to receive Direct Payments or services arranged directly by Adult Services.

If the Direct Payment relates to a child you will not at present be asked to contribute towards the cost of the care package.

Young people aged 16 and 17 years will be expected to make a small, fixed financial contribution towards the cost of overnight short breaks.

How much money will I receive?

The amount of money you receive will depend on the services you have been assessed as needing. The Direct Payments rates are reviewed annually. If you wish you may use your own money to top up Direct Payments in order to purchase more expensive services.

How can I find out more about Direct Payments?

If you would like more information about Direct Payments or wish to ask any question you can contact Go Direct using the details below.

Go Direct

Go Direct can offer advice, information and practical support on all aspects of Direct Payments.

They can help with:

• Understanding Direct Payments
• Supporting you through the process of Direct Payments
• Assisting you to recruit Personal Assistants including job descriptions, advertising for staff, interviews, health and safety and supporting you in managing your staff and dealing with any issues.

Payroll service

Go Direct offers a free payroll service to people who use Direct Payments to employ Personal Assistants. This includes:

• Registering you as an employer with the Inland Revenue
• Setting up and operating a payroll system for your employees, on your behalf
• Producing weekly or monthly pay slips for your employees
• Keeping records of holiday and sick pay
• Maintaining all relevant records with the Inland Revenue Providing advice and support on issues such as rates of pay, etc.

Go Direct can also provide and source information and training on all aspects of Direct Payments, for a wide range of people including:

• Direct Payments users
• Potential users of Direct Payments
• Personal Assistants
• Local Authority staff
• Other professionals

Information and training can be provided on a one-to-one basis or at meetings or surgeries. Go Direct can also arrange and facilitate Direct Payments open days or roadshows, in conjunction with partner agencies. The information provided covers a range of related issues as well as Direct Payments.

Contact

Go Direct
Direct Payments Support Service
c/o Age Uk Sunderland
Bradbury Centre
Stockton Road
Sunderland
SR2 7AQ

Phone: 0191 510 9776
Fax: 0191 567 0378
Email: directpayments@ageuksunderland.org.uk

Alternatively you can contact the Direct Payments Section at Sunderland Adult Services using the following details given below:

Care & Support
Health, Housing and Adult Services
Sunderland City Council
The Old Rectory
The Broadway
Houghton Le Spring
DH4 4BB

Phone: 0191 566 3132
Fax: 0191 566 2101

Email: dp@ssd.sunderland.gov.uk