What are Direct Payments?
Direct Payments are made to enable you the freedom of choice, to buy flexible support services to meet your individual needs. Your local authority will give you the money instead of providing or arranging services that you have been assessed as needing.
Assessment
You will need an assessment to find out what care and support you can get help with. You will then be offered the option of services and/or Direct Payments.
Once the value of your direct payment has been agreed you will have the freedom to purchase assistance directly from a care agency of your choice.
You can contact the advice service HomeCare (Mellor) offers should you need independent support with the assessment.
Why would I want Direct Payments?
Direct Payments let you decide how the care and support that you need is provided, by whom, and at what time. The money that is given to you will let you use the money to buy the services you need from a care agency. HomeCare (Mellor) works with a number of service users who have chosen to use Direct Payments.
Direct Payments are all about giving you more power, choice and independence. They are very flexible and adaptable, which means that your assessed needs can now be met in a whole range of new and more effective ways.
Who can receive Direct Payments?
You can receive direct payments if:
• You have been assessed as needing social care services to support you with your daily living
• You have a disability or you are an older person with social care needs;
• You consent to receiving a direct payment and either you or your agent can manage the payment;
• The payment can be made to people of all ages. For children or young people under 16 the payments are made to an adult who has parental responsibility;
Under current mental health and criminal justice legislation certain people are excluded from the direct payment scheme;
HomeCare (Mellor) is please to be able to offer our services as your fund manager. For more information please contact us.
Useful links
Below is a selection of useful links to give you more information about Direct Payments
Department of Health – Policy & Guidance on Direct Payments
www.dh.gov.uk
National Centre for Independent Living – A resource on Independent Living and Direct Payments
www.ncil.org.uk
DirectGov
www.direct.gov.uk
Blackburn with Darwen Social Services
www.blackburn.gov.uk
Lancashire County Council
www.lancashire.gov.uk/social-services/direct-payments/
The various Direct Payments documents accessible from this site are provided solely to help illlustrate and explain some of the Direct Payments arrangements that you may wish to make, and should not be regarded as adequate or suitable for any particular case.
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