What is a Direct Payment?

A Direct Payment is an agreed sum of money that can be paid directly to a person that has been identified as having eligible unmet social care needs following a care needs assessment by a practitioner.  A Direct Payment is an alternative for those who do not wish the local authority to arrange care on their behalf.

Having a Direct Payment enables the person to have greater choice and control over the care that is provided to them, by accessing community services and/or employing a Personal Assistant.

The amount of any Direct Payment is determined by a person’s personal budget allowance, minus any contributions that are required and will be agreed with you in advance.

Direct Payments are paid onto a person’s Kent Card, which they can then use to purchase services or activities to meet their needs, in line with their Care and Support plan. (It can also be paid into a  separate bank account, used solely for the Direct Payment.)

Direct Payments can be used to buy either all the support that a person has been assessed for or just part of it, and can include: -

• Personal care and assistance to help you to live in your own home
• Short breaks and respite care
• Support to access community, social and leisure activities
• Support for carers
• Items of agreed equipment

For further information on Direct Payments please look at our Guide to Direct Payments