What are Direct Payments?
Direct Payments are cash payments made if lieu of social care services. This is so you can arrange and manage your social care needs yourself in a way which best suits you. You can manage some or all of your care with Direct Payments.

Who can receive Direct Payments?

You can receive Direct Payments if you:

• Are assessed as needing support and are eligible for services under FACS criteria (Fair Access to Care Services)
• Have mental health problems
• Have a long term illness or condition
• Have a learning disability
• Need help because of the effects of growing older
• Are a carer who has been assessed as needing support
• Are aged 16 or over or have parental responsibility for a child under 16 who has a disability
• Are able to manage Direct Payments with or without support

How can i get Direct Payments?

To get started you will need to call London Borough of Sutton First Contact on 020 8770 6080. They will assist with the following:

• You need to meet the eligibility criteria through FACS
• Your social care package must be assessed by the London Borough of Sutton
• You should have had an assessment and care plan / support plan from the London Borough of Sutton
• Have undergone a financial assessment by London Borough of Sutton

What can Direct Payments be used for?

They are there for your social care needs. This includes personal and practical care, social inclusion or one off payments for things such as respite. As part of your care / support plan your needs will have been identified.

What support is available to me?

SCILL operate a support service; a member of the Independence Support Service will visit you in the first instance and assist you with coming onto Direct Payments. After this the team will help you to grow your skills and confidence by being available for support and also by offering training to help you develop your abilities. Gradually you will find that you need the support service less and less.

Will having Direct Payments affect my benefits?

No. Direct Payments are not social security benefits and will not be counted as income.

Will I have to make a contribution towards my care?

The London Borough of Sutton will carry out a financial assessment. The result of this will determine if you need to make a financial contribution and if so, how much that contribution will be.

What will happen if I don't make my contribution?

The Direct Payments agreement (which you will sign when you start using Direct Payments), clearly states that if the contribution is not made the London Borough of Sutton can terminate the Direct Payments.

Do I have to have a separate bank account?

In most cases, yes. If you find it difficult to open an account we can give you a letter to take to the bank. You must make sure that you ask for two sets of bank statements. This is one for your records and one to send SCILL with your financial monitoring which is a requirement of using Direct Payments.

If you find it difficult to open a bank account or don't wish to, SCILL offer a Financial Administrative Service (FAS) which looks after the money for you. This means you remain in control of the money but without the administrative burden.

If I use your FAS service can I start to manage my own money when I feel more confident?

Absolutely. In fact we encourage this as it gives you instant access to the money. You would need to let us know and we can send you the paperwork to complete (two forms). Once the new account is open we can arrange the transfer of your funds.

What happens with the financial monitoring?

The London Borough of Sutton ask SCILL to request financial monitoring on a six monthly basis or as required. As a guide there should be up to three months worth of money in your account, any more than this then the council can ask you to return it. If you have a large surplus in the account then it is advised you contact your Care Manager / Social Worker for guidance.

How often is the money paid into my account?

Every 4 weeks

Who do I contact if I have a question about the money I have received?

As the London Borough of Sutton make the payments then you will need to contact them on 020 8770 5000 and ask for ASSH Finance department.

Can I use an agency to provide the support I need?

Yes. You need to be aware of how much they charge so that you can keep to your budget.

Can I employ a family member to provide the support I need?

Yes, as long as they don't live at the same address as you.

Can I pay people cash in hand?

No. Direct Payments are public money and therefore any person earning money from Direct Payments needs to declare this to the Inland Revenue. The London Borough of Sutton can withdraw Direct Payments if the funds are not being used correctly.

What records do I need to keep?

You must keep any receipts for services / items you have purchased, this includes any timesheets for you Personal Assistants. Copies of your bank statements and any other paperwork you have in regards to your Direct Payments.

What happens if my care needs change?

You will need to contact London Borough of Sutton First Contact on 020 8770 6080 and they can arrange another assessment.

Who do I contact if I change my personal details?

If you move house, get married, move into residential home, or any other change please let SCILL know on 020 8770 4045 so that we can update our records. You will also need to inform the London Borough of Sutton.

If I have been told my Direct Payments package has changed who will tell me the date when this can start from?

Your Care Manger / Social Worker will give you this information; they can tell you the start date. It can take 4-6 weeks for the change to be made to the payments you receive.

If I don't use all my hours one week what happens to them?

You can use the hours the following week or save them for up to 3 months. Sometimes this may happen if you have had recruitment problems. As you may have had a period of time with little or no support you can use these “banked” hours.

If I have employed a Personal Assistant do I need to have insurance?

Yes. As part of the Direct Payments Agreement anyone employing a PA needs to have Public and Employer Liability Insurance. There are company's such as Premier Care that offer comprehensive support.