Direct Payments
Factsheet 2: What Can and Can’t
Direct Payments be used for?
Direct payments are very adaptable and people are encouraged to be creative and innovative in how they use
their Direct Payments to meet their eligible needs and agreed outcomes in their personal support/care plan.
Some of the ways people generally use Direct Payments can be summarised as:
Personal Care
Assistance with personal care and essential daily living tasks, both within the home and local community. This
may include:
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Assistance with getting washed and dressed
Small items of recommended equipment1 or assistive technology
Other examples of support may include:
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Sitting services to enable an informal carer to take a break from their caring role
Support from a communicator-guide for a person with dual sensory impairment
Assistance for parents to purchase session support for a disabled child
Direct Payments can be used to purchase services from private care providers but most people chose to
employ their own personal assistants as this affords people the greatest levels of choice, flexibility and
control2.
Support to access community, social and leisure activities
Direct Payments can be used as an alternative to traditional day care services, usually provided by a day
centre. This gives people the opportunity to plan their own community, social and leisure activities by
providing the support they need in order to access the activities. It provides people with the support they
need in order to continue with family and community life.
Examples may include:
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Assistance with personal care and support whilst the person accessed a leisure pursuit such as
swimming, golfing, art classes
Assistance with essential daily living tasks such maintaining a safe and clean living environment
and essential shopping
Additional personal care at home whilst an informal or family carer takes a break i.e. respite3
Support to access educational and personal development opportunities i.e. transport4
Individual sessional support for a young person
A group of people using Direct Payments to contribute towards the costs of running a self directed
support group, such as room hire
Continued...
Direct Payment Factsheet A2
What Direct Payments cannot be used to pay for
Services provided by the council i.e. some day services or reablement services
House hold bills such as food, drink and heating
Rent or mortgage
Health services e.g. physiotherapy, chiropody, dentist or equipment NHS would provide
Long term residential or nursing care
You cannot us a DP to employ your husband or wife
Your civil partner
A partner with who you live as a couple
A close relative with whom you live or the spouse or partner of that close relative
(unless agreed that exceptional circumstances make it necessary5)
It is important to note that generally Direct Payments cannot be used to pay for the costs of accessing leisure
and social activities, such as admission fees. In addition, Direct Payments should not be used to purchase
meals or drinks whilst the person is accessing an activity.
1
Factsheet 10: Equipment & Assistive Technology
Factsheet 5: Keeping safe
3
Factsheet 8: Respite and Replacement Care Arrangements
4
Factsheet 9: Transport
5
Factsheet 16: Employing a Personal Assistant: Employment of resident relatives—exceptional
circumstances
2
Find out more:
WHASCAS - 0845 607 2000
Supporting Access to Health & Social Care Services in Worcestershire
Visit: www.worcestershire.gov.uk
Other factsheets in the series:
Factsheet 1: Getting started
Factsheet 3: Answers to some frequently asked questions
Factsheet 4: Acting as a Suitable/Authorised Person
Factsheet 5: Keeping safe
Factsheet 6: Keeping good records
Factsheet 7: What to do…
Factsheet 8: Respite and Replacement Care Arrangements
Factsheet 9: Transport
Factsheet 10: Equipment & Assistive Technology
Factsheet 11: Using an agency
Factsheet 12: Employing a Personal Assistant
Factsheet 13: Employing a Personal Assistant: Being a good employer
Factsheet 14: Employing a Personal Assistant: Employing people legally
Factsheet 15: Employing a Personal Assistant: Insurance
Factsheet 16: Employing a Personal Assistant: Employment of resident relatives—exceptional
circumstances
Factsheet 17: Employing a Personal Assistant: Training Personal Assistants
Direct Payment Factsheet A2