Direct payment process

Part of: Direct payments

Contents

Direct payments follow a step-by-step process:

  1. Your social worker confirms you are eligible for a direct payment.
  2. A Direct Payment Broker contacts you to review your support plan and agree on how your services will be funded.
  3. You choose how to manage the funding. Your broker will discuss which account type works best for you. Find out more about account types.
  4. The Direct Payment Audit Team sets up your payments and makes sure you’re active in the Council’s system.
  5. Funding is paid every four weeks in advance into your dedicated account. Read more about the payment cycle.
  6. You arrange your agreed care, for example, paying a Personal Assistant, a care agency, or other approved services.
  7. You keep receipts, invoices, and proof of spending in line with your support plan. You must keep records of all documents required for an audit.
  8. The Audit Team checks your account regularly (every 3, 6, or 12 months) to make sure funds are used properly and outcomes are being met. Read more about audits.

If you need support managing your direct payments, you can choose a suitable person to help you.

How payments are calculated

Once your direct payment is agreed, you will receive a pay calculation showing:

  • The gross amount (the full cost of your care)
  • The net amount (the amount Trafford Council will pay, after your contribution)
  • The breakdown of hours, rates and any other costs (such as payroll or pensions if you employ a PA)

You can use your funding flexibly to meet your assessed needs, but you must stay within your agreed weekly amount.

Top-up payments

Some care providers charge more than the Council’s standard rates. If this happens, you or your family will need to pay a top-up from personal funds.

This must be paid directly into your direct payment account and clearly recorded separately from community care charges.

Direct Payment funds cannot be used to pay top-ups. Top-ups must always be paid using your own money (or by family or friends). This is because your personal budget is for social care support only.

Community care charges

As part of your financial assessment, we calculate how much you can afford to pay towards your care. This is called community care charges.

Because Trafford Council pays your funding net of this amount, you must:

  • Pay your community care charges into the same direct payment account regularly
  • Make these payments weekly or every four weeks (in line with your payment cycle)
  • Keep your payments up to date so your account has enough funds for your care

We recommend setting up a standing order from your personal bank account.

If your financial circumstances change, the Financial Assessment Team will review your contribution and write to you about any adjustments. Under- or over-payments will be corrected at your next audit.