Eligibility

To qualify for a direct payment if you are over 18 years old, you must have a financial assessment and an initial care assessment.  

To qualify for a direct payment if you are under 18 years old, you must qualify for support from the Disabled Children's Team (DCT).

Who direct payments are for 

Most people who qualify for social care can choose to set up a direct payment. This includes: 

• older people 
• disabled people over the age of 16 
• people with physical and/or sensory disabilities 
• people with learning disabilities 
• people with mental health issues - a person lacking mental capacity to consent to a direct payment can have a representative to manage it for them
• a person with parental responsibility for a disabled child under 16, including parents and people with legal parental responsibility and who are not the child's parents 
• carers who are over the age of 16 and have been assessed as needing services to support them  in their caring roles and to maintain their own health and wellbeing 

There are some very rare exceptions when legally a direct payment cannot be made. These people are not legally permitted to be offered the use of direct payments: offenders on a community order or suspended sentence; offenders on a community rehabilitation order; offenders released from prison on licence; and people with drug or alcohol dependency who are subject to compulsory treatment orders.

Direct payments may not be offered in all circumstances. While we aim to support choice and control wherever possible, there are situations where a direct payment may not be appropriate or legally permitted. In these situations, the Local Authority will ensure that alternative appropriate support arrangements are put in place to meet assessed needs.

Each request for a direct payment is considered on an individual basis, and decisions are made in line with legislation, statutory guidance, and local policies.

Appointing a nominee/authorised person 

If you are unable to manage the direct payment yourself then you can appoint a nominee to receive the direct payment on your behalf. 

The nominee must sign this agreement on your behalf and agree to take on the legal responsibility of managing the direct payment. 

Should you lack capacity, an authorised person can be appointed to act on your behalf.