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Direct Payments
Direct payments are a different way of getting support. Instead of the us arranging care or support for you, you can have a cash payment and make your own arrangements.
Who can have Direct Payments?
You can have Direct Payments if you have…
- a physical disability
- a learning disability
- a sensory impairment such as being blind or deaf
- problems due to being frail or elderly
- mental health issues
- a long term illness
- a disabled child who needs services from Sheffield City Council
- to care for a person with a disability or long term illness
Direct Payments are also available to you if you have any of the above and may need some practical support with parenting tasks.
To get Direct Payments you have to have been assessed by Sheffield City Council and told that we can provide a service for you. If you’re eligible to receive a service, you’ll also need to:
- be 16 years old or over
- agree that you want Direct Payments
- be able to make your wishes known on how you want your support to be arranged
Our priorities and criteria
We must make sure that the resources we have are used to help people in greatest need of support. It’s important that people are supported so they can live at home safely or independently.
For more information you can ring (0114) 273 4969 and ask for a copy of A Guide to Independent Living in Sheffield.
What are the benefits of having Direct Payments?
Having Direct Payments given directly to you gives you more choice and control over the way you live your life. It allows you to arrange services in the way you want. Your benefits won't be affected.
What some people have said about having Direct Payments:
"The best thing I like about having Direct Payments is that I have control over who comes in to support me, who I feel comfortable with and find easy to communicate with"."It gives me control. I choose who comes, and can tell them what time to come"."It's more flexible"."It means I can arrange for the same people to help me at times that suit me".
You don’t have to have Direct Payments and we won’t put you under pressure to have Direct Payments if you prefer services to be arranged for you.
How can my support be arranged?
There are three ways:
- Service provision, where the Council arranges all your services for you.
- Getting Direct Payments and arranging your own services.
- Some services provided by direct service provision and some provided by getting Direct Payments.
What can Direct Payments be used for?
You must use the money to meet the needs agreed in your assessment or in your care plan. These are the sorts of things you can use Direct Payments for:
- to employ a personal assistant to provide the support or care you need
- to use a care agency
- to support you to take part in leisure and social activities
- to buy small pieces of equipment
- to have respite or short breaks
What can’t Direct Payments be used for?
You can’t use Direct Payments to:
- buy help from Sheffield City Council or any other Council
- buy help from close family members who live with you
- pay your household bills
- pay your housing costs
- pay for health care
How will I manage my Direct Payments?
If you need support to manage Direct Payments this shouldn’t stop you from getting Direct Payments. Some people get help from family and friends to use their Direct Payments.
There’s also a support service available for people in Sheffield, called Penderels Trust. Penderels Trust can explain about Direct Payments in more detail, can help you get started, and give ongoing support for as long as you need it.
What sort of help might I need?
You must have a separate bank account for the Direct Payment and you must keep careful records of how you use the money.
Employing people yourself may seem like a hard thing to do, but remember Penderels Trust can help you with all these things.
How can I contact Penderels Trust?
You can contact Penderels Trust by writing to:
Unit 2Meadow Court1 Hayland StreetSheffield S9 1BY
or by:
Telephone: (0114) 243 8111
Fax: (0114) 243 6444
Website: http://www.penderelstrust.org/
What do I do next?
If you think you might benefit from having Direct Payments and want to find out more, you can call in to First Point, the Council one-stop-shop where you can go to speak to someone about any Council service.
First Point is based at Howden House, Union Street – near the Peace Gardens. It’s open from 8.30 am to 5.30 pm Monday to Friday. You, or someone on your behalf, can call in to speak to a member of staff during these times.
Alternatively you can contact:
For adults: The Adult Services Access Team on (0114) 273 4908
For children: The Children's Access Team on (0114) 273 4855
For mental health: Contact your Community Mental Health Worker or Team
Tell us what you think…
If you’re not happy with the way your assessment was carried out or with the decision, you can ask us to look at your situation again. Your social worker, community nurse or care manager will explain how you can do this.
You can also make a compliment, comment or complaint about any service you get from Sheffield City Council. Contact our Customer Relations Team on (0114) 273 4660 and ask for a copy of our ‘Tell Us What You Think’ leaflet.
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