People tell us Direct Payments have "improved the quality of their lives".
You must be willing and able to manage direct payments on your own, or with help from other people you know and trust.
Adults
First, a social worker will visit you and talk to you about the type of help and support you need, and plan with you appropriate services. This is called an 'assessment'. You can get direct payments if the outcome of your assessment is that you are eligible for services. We use the government's 'Fair Access to Care Services' guidance to work out your eligibility. If you are a carer, you can also get direct payments for services provided under the Carers and Disabled Children Act 2000.
If you are eligible, you can either ask the social worker to directly arrange the services or ask for a direct payment to arrange your own services, or a mix of the two.
Children
You can get direct payments if you or your disabled child are eligible for services following an assessment under the Children Act 1989.
