What can I use my direct payment for?
What can I use my direct payment for?
If we have assessed you and you are getting a direct payment, the money we give you is to pay for your assessed needs.
What I can use my direct payment for
You can use your direct payment money to pay for:
- care and support to help you live in your own home
- a personal assistant to help you do different activities and
- a one-off payment for something specific, for example a membership fee, or enrolling on an adult education course.
What I cannot use my direct payment for
Please note that you cannot use a direct payment to pay for:
- a close relative, partner or anyone else who lives with you to help you
- long-term care in a care home or housing costs
- household bills, for example gas or electricity bills
- services from the council such as occupational-therapy equipment
- anything that doesn’t meet your assessed needs
- food and drink, including meals you have delivered to your home
- health needs, including treatment from the NHS or
- anything illegal, including gambling.
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