DIRECT PAYMENTS - Care in St Helens

St Helens Adult Social Care want to make sure as many people as possible get the opportunity to use Direct Payments and experience the choice and control it can bring to people in need of care.

What is Direct Payments ?

Direct Payments is a different way of getting the support you have been assessed to receive.

St Helens adult Social CAre and Health can provide you with a cash amount to purchase your own care and support. Direct Payments is not the same as the Department for Work and Pensions' direct payments scheme, which are benefits paid stright into someones bank account instead of using an order or pension book.

WHO CAN GET DIRECT PAYMENTS?

Anyone who uses or is eligible for Community Care Services from Adult Social Care and Health can access Direct Payments to meet their needs. This includes:

• People with Physical Disabilities
• People with Learning Disabilities
• People with HIV/AIDS
• People with Mental Health problems
• People with Sensory Impairment
• Older people
• Young Disabled People (16 to 17 year olds)
• People with parental responsibility for Disabled Children
• Carers

What Can Direct Payments be used for ?

Direct Payments can be used to pay for the support you need around everyday living, that gives you independance and choice.

Support can mean different things:

• Support with personal things like having a bath, washing or getting dressed, cooking and eating a meal.
• Support to live in your own home, like help with managing money, cooking, dealing with your budgeting and shopping.
• Day support to do the things that are important to you.
• Direct Payments can also be used for respite or short bgreaks and to purchase equipment.