DIRECT PAYMENTS

Direct Payments are an alternative to traditional social care services. You can have a combination of Direct Payments and services provided by the county council. They are simply payments of money made by the county council to people so that they can arrange their own care when they need it.

Direct Payments offer you choice and control over the care and support that you need. This means you can choose who provides your care; when the person comes to assist you; where they go; and what care they provide. Direct Payments offer you more flexibility and independence.

This also means tht you have control over your own life and you can make your own decisions.  Direct Payments do not affect any benefits or pensions that you may be receiving.

What support is available? - You can have as much support, as you need to help you to use Direct Payments. You can also choose who helps you to use Direct Payments. This may be a family member or an advocate.

You may need support when thinking about using Direct Payments; or when you first start to make your own care arrangements with your payments; or indeed, you may need some assistance on an ongoing basis to support you with the administration and management aspects of Direct Payments.

An information and advice service is available from E.L.I.T.E. We can help you with:

    * Explaining what Direct Payments are

    * How to access Direct Payments

    * What Direct Payments can be used for and how they can be spent

    * How to employ personal assistants and support workers with advice on how to be a good employer

    * Contingency planning for emergency situations

There is no charge to you for advice, information and support from E.L.I.T.E