Direct Payments
Simply, direct payments is a cash payment from your local authority that can be used for respite care instead of the council managing the care with their partner agencies. It is not a compulsory choice. There are advantages and disadvantages to this system, so it is very much whether you feel this option is right for you. Payments can be made to a parent / carer, or directly to the person needing the care (subject to age and having mental capacity to manage finances). For the person needing care, it generally is an ongoing payment. In both cases, an assessment of your finances is required.
In most local authorities, their website will have a self-referral area to request assessment for direct payments. Often councils appoint an agency to do these for them. At the assessment, the amount of support needed will be calculated based on need.
Advantages:
- Flexible
- Can choose your own care and care agency
- Not classed as income
- Provides more independence
- Can make your personal budget go further
Disadvantages:
- Have to arrange your own care and support
- Comply with tax and employment law (often carers choose to use a payroll agency to facilitate)
- Care agencies may put up fees higher than the authority agreed amount, meaning you may need to top up the rate to receive the same hours of care
- Ensuring the person providing the care is adequately trained
- Clear definitions on what payments can be spent on which need to be reported back to the local authority regularly at their requests
For more detail, visit the https://www.gov.uk/apply-direct-payments where you can apply.