What is a Direct Payment?
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
Kent Card
The best way to receive your direct payment is through the Kent Card. The Kent Card works in the same way as a debit card. You can use the card to pay for your care to the provider online or over the phone.
If you would like a Kent Card, please talk to your case manager or call the Direct Payments Helpline on 03000 41 36 00.
Visit the Kent County Council website for more information
