Direct payments are an option we can offer to help you have more choice and control over your care and support.
If you are eligible for support following a Care Act assessment, you may be able to receive money from the Council to arrange support that meets your agreed needs.
This page gives a short overview of direct payments. A more detailed guide is available from the link at the bottom of the page to help you understand how direct payments work, what they can be used for, and what your responsibilities would be.
What are direct payments?
A direct payment is money paid to you, or to someone acting on your behalf, so you can arrange some or all of your agreed care and support yourself.
This could give you more flexibility over how your support is provided, who provides it, and when it takes place.
Direct payments must be used to meet the needs agreed in your care and support plan. They are not extra income and do not replace benefits.
The amount you receive will depend on your Care Act assessment, your support plan and any financial contribution you may need to make.
Who can receive a direct payment?
You may be able to receive a direct payment if you are aged 16 or over and have been assessed by social care as having eligible care and support needs.
Direct payments may also be available to carers, and to parents or people with parental responsibility for a child with care and support needs.
Direct payments can support people with a range of needs, including physical disabilities, learning disabilities, mental health needs, long-term health conditions, needs linked to getting older, or caring responsibilities.
Types of direct payments
Havering offers different types of direct payments depending on the care and support needs identified in a person’s Care Act assessment and agreed support plan.
The examples below show the main types of support that may be funded through a direct payment, along with the rates.
Carers
Carers direct payments may be agreed to support unpaid carers with the impact of their caring role.
Carers will need to have a Care Act assessment to identify their needs and agree the level of support.
The weekly rate depends on the level of support agreed, with low-level support at £15 per week, medium-level support at £25 per week and high-level support at £30 per week.
Homecare
Homecare direct payments may be agreed where assessed needs show that support at home is needed, such as help with personal care, daily living tasks or maintaining independence.
The rate is £18.50 per hour.
Live-in care
Live-in care direct payments may be agreed where a person has assessed needs that require continuous support in their own home.
The rate is £1,100 per week.
Night-time support
Night-time support direct payments may be agreed where assessed needs show that support is required overnight.
This includes waking night support at £135 per night and night sitter support at £91 per night.
Respite
Respite direct payments may be agreed where assessed needs show that breaks or replacement care are needed for a short period of time as agreed in the support plan.
The rate is £103.50 per day or night.
Social inclusion
Social inclusion direct payments may be agreed where assessed needs show that support to access community activities, maintain social connections and work towards agreed outcomes are needed.
The rate is £16 per hour.
Transport
Transport direct payments may be agreed where transport is needed to meet agreed outcomes.
The rates are £11.50 or £8 per journey for taxi-related transport, depending on the agreed arrangement.
How direct payments work
If you choose to have a direct payment, Havering Council will pay the money into a pre-paid account.
This allows you, or someone acting on your behalf, to pay for the support agreed in your care and support plan.
You can manage the direct payment yourself, nominate someone you trust to manage it for you, or use an organisation such as a payroll agency to help manage payments.
If you employ a personal assistant, there may be additional responsibilities such as payroll, insurance and employment requirements.
What direct payments can be used for
Direct payments can be used to buy care and support that helps meet the outcomes agreed in your care and support plan.
This could include support at home, help to access activities, support from a personal assistant, or other agreed services that help you stay independent and well.
You cannot use a direct payment for things that are not agreed as part of your support plan. The detailed guide explains what direct payments can and cannot be used for.
Guides