Direct payments

Direct payments must be used to pay for care and support that you are assessed as needing and are eligible to receive from social care services.

You can use a direct payment to pay for:

• support from a care agency or other independent provider to help you live in your own home
• support from a personal assistant that you choose yourself to help you live in your own home or to do different activities
• personal care needs such as getting washed and dressed
• different ways of receiving replacement care and accessing the community
• a one off payment for something specific, for example a membership fee, enrolling on an adult education course, or to purchase items that will increase your independence.

You cannot use a direct payment to pay for:

• support from a relative, partner or anyone else who lives with you
• long-term care in a care home or housing costs
• household bills, for example gas or electricity bills
• food and drink, including meals you have delivered to your home
• health needs, including treatment from the NHS
• gambling, or anything illegal
• anything other than the support you need to meet your outcomes.