Direct payments

Direct payments let you choose, arrange, and pay for your own care and support through your personal budget.

Instead of Trafford Council arranging your care for you, we can pay money directly to you or someone you choose to manage it for you.

Who can get direct payments

Direct payments may suit you if you:

• Want to have more control over your care and who provides it
• Prefer to choose services that meet your specific needs
• Can manage money and basic paperwork (or have someone you trust who can help)
• Are happy to keep receipts, invoices and records for audit checks

You can ask for direct payments at any point in your care journey. The council will offer you this option if your needs are eligible under the Care Act.

You can ask for a direct payment if:

• You (or the person you care for) have had a social care assessment and are eligible for support, and
• You have a financial assessment to work out what contribution (if any) you need to make

How to apply for direct payments

Your social worker or care coordinator will refer you to the Direct Payments Team, and a Support Broker will guide you through the process.

When you apply, we assess your capacity to manage the payments (or whether you can get help to do so). If approved, your direct payment will be included in your personal budget.

Direct payments and Benefits

Direct payments are not classed as income, so they won’t affect any benefits you receive from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).

However, if you employ someone using your funding, the PA’s income may affect their benefits.