How the direct payment will be paid

Your direct payment will be paid monthly, into a prepaid online account. The account is opened by the direct payment team on your behalf. The amount paid into the account will be NET of any assessed contribution.

You will be required to arrange a weekly or monthly standing order from your personal bank account for your assessed contribution (which is dependent on the outcome of your financial assessment) - into the same prepaid online account.

If you do not feel confident managing finances on your own, you can request that your direct payment be financially managed by the direct payment team. 

How to use the card 

When you receive the card, you will receive an information leaflet detailing how to set up an online account.  

You can use it to: 

• make BACS transfers to other bank accounts online 
• set up direct debits and standing orders 
• you can also make payments via EML over the telephone 

You can only use the card to pay for goods and services to meet your social care needs as set out in your support plan. For example, you may use it to pay a care agency or personal care assistant. 

You cannot use the prepaid card to withdraw cash. 

Please note: if your direct payment is financially managed by the direct payment team, you will not receive a prepaid card.