Direct Payments
Below are a list of frequently asked questions about Direct
Payments
1. What are Direct Payments?
They are an alternative way of receiving a service from the
Local Authority. Direct Payments give you the opportunity to
arrange the care yourself, by giving you the money needed to
organise your care and meet your assessed needs. This means you are
in control of how your needs are met.
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2. Am I eligible for Direct Payments?
Direct Payments can be paid to the following groups of people,
following an assessment by a case manager:
- People with a physical and sensory impairment
- People with a learning disability
- Older People
- Carers
- People with parental responsibility for a disabled child
- People with Mental health problems
- Children with a disability aged 16/17
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3. What can I use my Direct Payments for?
Direct Payments can be used to meet your assessed needs, as
identified in your assessment and on your care plan. Direct
Payments can also be used for respite but cannot be used to fund
long-term residential care or to purchase nursing care.
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4. Are they the same as benefits?
Direct Payments from the Vale of Glamorgan Council are not the
same as the ‘Direct Payment’ scheme offered by the Department of
Work and Pensions, which pays a person’s pension and/or benefits
directly into their bank account. Our Direct Payments are not
regarded as income and therefore will not affect your benefit
entitlement or taxes.
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5. What support will I receive?
We have contracted with the Rowan Organisation to support you
until you are comfortable managing by yourself. They can assist
with:
- Recruitment
- Wages and accounts
- National Insurance
- Inland Revenue
- Staff Holidays
- Record Keeping
- Training and support to manage your Direct Payments
- Any other general employment issues
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6. Does this mean that I won’t have a case manager
anymore?
No, your care package will still have the same reviews as any
other service user receiving a directly provided service.
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7. How do I ‘buy-in’ support?
Many people choose to employ a personal assistant (PA) who can
assist them with personal, domestic and social tasks. Some people
choose to employ through an agency, or have a mixture of both. As
long as your assessed needs are met, you can be as creative as you
like with purchasing support.
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8. Do I have to make a financial contribution?
You may have to make a financial contribution to your care
package and will have a financial assessment to determine what, if
any, this may be.
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9. Can my daughter be my PA?
As long as they do not live in the same house as you, a member
of your family can become your PA. Family members who live in the
same house will only be allowed to become PA’s in exceptional
circumstances.
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10. I do not know anyone who I would like to be my PA – how do
I find someone?
You can advertise in the local newspapers, or in the local Job
Centre. The Rowan Organisation can support you with this to ensure
that you find someone who you want to employ.
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11. I want Direct Payments but am not sure I can manage the
financial side by myself. Can I still receive them?
As long as you want to receive Direct Payments, you can have
whatever assistance you need with managing the financial side of
it. This assistance may come from the Rowan Organisation, it may
come from your family or it may mean nominating someone to handle
the day-to-day management of your Direct Payments.
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12. What happens if I decide that I want to change back to
receiving a service directly provided by the Local Authority –
could I do this?
If you do decide that you do not wish to continue with Direct
Payments, you can change back to receiving a directly provided
service whenever you wish. The Local Authority also retains the
right to withdraw Direct Payments if you do not meet your
responsibilities and replace with a direct service.
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13. I want Direct Payments – who do I need to contact?
You should contact your social worker and ask them to make a
referral on your behalf.
You can also contact:
Direct Payments Development Officer
Tel: 01446 704685
Email: directpayments@valeofglamorgan.gov.uk
Rowan Organisation
Freephone: 0800 783 1755
Welsh speakers: 0800 783 8397
Minicom: 0800 917 8897
Website: Rowan Organisation
If you do not have a social worker, you should contact:
Contact and Information Centre
Tel: 01446 731100
Email: cic@valeofglamorgan.gov.uk
They will arrange for an assessment to take place. An assessment
must take place before Direct Payments can be paid.
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