( The Community Care Direct Payments Act came into force on 1st April 1997. The Act gave local authorities the power to offer cash payments to users of Community Care Services as an alternative to
providing or arranging services.)

What are Direct Payments?
Direct Payments is an initiative to enable you to purchase your own care. It gives you the opportunity to take control of your own life and be in charge of your own support arrangements, giving you the choice, control and flexibility. That means getting the assistance when you want it, how you want it and from the person you choose to give it.

Who can receive Direct Payments?
To receive Direct Payments you must:
¨ Be over the age of eighteen.
¨ Have been assessed by Social Services as needing community care services
(adult services only)
¨ Be willing and able to manage the direct payments (with support if required)
¨ Not be excluded under the regulations (e.g. detained under certain mental health provision)

You will not be able to:
¨ Use the money to employ a close relative or any one living in your household to help with your care needs.
¨ Use the money to buy services from the social services department, the health authority or the housing authority and long term residential care.

What happens next?
If you would like to know more about Direct Payments, speak with your care manager or contact Direct Payments Co-ordinator for more information. The Co-ordinator will visit you at home and give you more detailed information and explain the scheme to you.
The scheme Co-ordinator can provide:
¨ Initial Information
¨ Information on assessments
¨ Employer information
¨ Support with paperwork
¨ Payroll service (if required)
¨ Leaflets and fact sheets

¨ Peer support contacts

For more information and details of Location Offices contact:
Direct Payments Support Scheme
Durham Co-operative,
Development Association,
Miners Hall,
Red Hill,
Durham.
DH1 4BD
Tel: 0191 3849111
Fax: 0191 3832734
E-mail: [email protected] (opening hours Mon-Fri 9am - 5am)