DIRECT PAYMENTS
What Are Direct Payments?
Direct Payments are cash payments made by your local council to help you arrange and manage your own care and support, if you’ve been assessed as having eligible care needs.
They give you greater choice and control over:
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Who provides your care
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When and how your care is delivered
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Tailoring support to suit your lifestyle and preferences
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Direct Payments are not classed as income, so they do not affect your benefits. They are separate from any payments made by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and are solely intended to meet the needs outlined in your care and support plan.
Who Can Receive Direct Payments?
Direct Payments are available to individuals who:
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Have been assessed by social services as having eligible care and support needs
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Are aged 16 or over
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Are willing and able to manage the payments themselves — either independently or with support
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These payments give individuals greater control and flexibility over their care arrangements, allowing them to choose how, when, and by whom their care is delivered.
Direct Payments at CARE4U2DAY.
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At CARE4U2DAY, many of our service users choose to receive Direct Payments. This gives them the freedom to select a care provider that best meets their needs — and we’re proud to be a trusted choice.
To support this, we provide every Direct Payment service user with a detailed Service Level Agreement (SLA), which outlines:
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The agreed care package
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Costs and payment terms
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Visit durations and frequency
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Responsibilities of both parties
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Service users who receive Direct Payments are responsible for paying CARE4U2DAY directly. With every invoice, we provide a clear breakdown of the services delivered during the billing period.
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Choice and Control Through Direct Payments
Direct Payments give you the flexibility to make decisions about your care, including:
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Which care agency you want to use
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Which days and times you need support
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How long each visit should last
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How many visits you require
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What type of support you need
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Your preference for male, female, or mixed-gender carers
How to make a complaint
If you are unhappy with our service, please use CARE4U2DAY's complaints procedure first. Where care is funded or arranged by a local authority, you may also complain to that authority. If you remain dissatisfied after the complaints process, you may be able to contact the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman. You can also share concerns about care with the Care Quality Commission (CQC), although CQC does not investigate individual complaints on your behalf.