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Adult social care and support

Direct payments for adults

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See also Direct payments easy read.

What are direct payments?

A direct payment gives you money to arrange your own care and support.

Direct payments give you more choice and control over how you meet your care and support needs. They can also help you stay independent by helping you choose the support that works best for you.

You may be able to get a direct payment if:

You can use a direct payment to pay for support and equipment that meets the needs in your support plan. You can choose to use a direct payment for all or part of your support.

To find out if a direct payment is right for you, speak to your social care worker. They'll explain your options and help you decide how to meet your care and support needs.

If you're unable to make decisions about a direct payment, we may decide that having one is the best way to meet your care and support needs. In this situation, we can pay the money to someone you trust, such as a family member or friend. They will manage the direct payment and arrange support for you. We call this a third-party direct payment.

Before we agree to this, we'll make sure the person is suitable to manage the money and act in your best interests.

Direct payment prepaid accounts

The easiest way to get your direct payment is through a prepaid account. A prepaid account works like a bank account and allows you to pay for the support in your support plan.

You do not need to open a separate bank account or routinely send us receipts, invoices and records of what you have spent.

We'll pay your direct payment into the account each month in advance. You'll receive a debit card to use with the account.

You can use the account to:

  • pay in person using chip and PIN
  • set up standing orders and direct debits
  • make bank transfers online or by phone

You can check your balance:

  • online
  • by text message
  • by phone
  • through paper statements

What you can use a direct payment for

You can use a direct payment to arrange support that helps you meet the needs and outcomes in your support plan.

You can choose how to use your direct payment. For example, you can:

  • employ a personal assistant
  • buy care and support services from an independent or voluntary organisation
  • buy equipment that helps you live in your own home

A direct payment gives you more flexibility to choose and arrange support in a way that works for you.

Most people use direct payments to pay for ongoing care and support. In some situations, we may make a one-off payment, for example to buy equipment or pay for a short respite break.

Manage your direct payment

Your direct payment helps you manage and pay for the support or services in your support plan. We'll ask you to sign an agreement. This explains how you can use your direct payment and your responsibilities. If you'd like help, you can ask a trusted person to help you manage your direct payment.

If you use a prepaid account, you do not need to routinely send us financial records. We can check your spending through the account. If you get your direct payment in a separate bank account, you'll need to keep records of how you spend it and share that with us every 3 months. For example, you will need to keep receipts, invoices and signed timesheets where relevant.

How we review direct payments

We check direct payments every 3 months in most cases. This helps us make sure your support continues to meet your needs, and the funds are being used in line with your support plan. You don't need to do anything if you use a prepaid account. We can review your spending online.

If you use a separate bank account, you'll need to show us how you've spent your direct payment. Surrey Independent Living Charity (SILC), an independent organisation that helps people manage direct payments, can help you with this.

If your account has more than 2 weeks' worth of money that you have not spent, we may ask for some of it back. Before we do this, we'll talk to you about any planned expenses, such as respite care or annual memberships.

Paying towards your care and support

You may need to contribute towards the cost of your care and support. The amount you pay depends on your income and savings.

If you need to pay towards your care and support, we'll deduct it from your direct payment. You'll then need to pay this amount into your direct payment account.

If your care needs change or you do not have enough money in your account, contact your social care worker. They can talk to you about your situation and explain your options.

See A guide to paying for care.

Direct payments for carers

If you're an unpaid carer, you may be able to get a direct payment. This payment will be to help you in your caring role.

To find out what support you may be eligible for ask for a carer's assessment. Find out more at What is a carer's assessment?

Get help managing your direct payment

Supported prepaid account

If you'd like help managing your direct payment, you can choose a supported prepaid account.

With a supported prepaid account, we hold the direct payment on your behalf. We then make payments for your care and support when you tell us to. A supported prepaid account can be a good option if you want more support to manage your direct payment.

Get help from SILC

SILC can support you and anyone who helps you manage your direct payment.

Their support includes:

  • managing your direct payment money
  • employing a personal assistant
  • arranging care and support services

Find out more about SILC’s services.

Get help from an advocate

If we're making decisions about your care and support, we'll check whether you need help to take part in those decisions.

You may need support if you find it difficult to:

  • understand information
  • remember information
  • use information to make decisions

If you do not have someone who can help you, you may be able to get an advocate.

An advocate is someone who supports you and speaks up for you. They can help you understand information, take part in discussions and make sure we hear your views.

Advocacy is free, independent and confidential.

If you'd like an advocate, we can help you get one. If you cannot get an advocate, we'll tell you about other services that may be able to help.

For more information, see Advocacy services.

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