Direct payments for adult social care

A direct payment is when we pay your personal budget to you—if you're eligible and willing—so you can arrange your own care and support, giving you more choice and control over how it's delivered.

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What you can and can’t use it for

  • Use your direct payment to buy support that meets your agreed outcomes in your Care and Support Plan, for example:
  • personal care (from a provider or by employing a Personal Assistant (PA))
  • support to access the community (activities, appointments)
  • respite so an unpaid carer can have a break
  • agreed equipment and minor home works

You can’t use it for: NHS services, permanent residential care, anything not in your agreed plan, illegal activities, or (except in exceptional pre‑agreed cases) to pay a self‑employed PA or someone in your household.

Your practitioner will confirm what’s in scope for you.