Who is Eligible?
It is possible to receive direct payments if a person has been assessed as being
eligible by a social worker and is one of the following:
- A disabled person aged 16 or over with a physical impairment, mental
health impairment or a learning disability
- An older person (anyone aged 50 or over)
- A family with a disabled child (direct payments can be made to people
with parental responsibility for a disabled child to manage on their behalf)
- A carer of a disabled person
If a person does not have the capacity to consent to direct payments, a
‘Suitable Person’ can apply to receive and manage them on their behalf. In these
circumstances Social Services conduct an assessment to determine if the appointee
is appropriate and to ensure that they will be acting in the person’s best interest.
Other Conditions
There are other conditions that determine if an individual is able to receive direct
payments. Whilst not necessarily considered eligibility criteria, they must be considered
by the recipient when deciding if direct payments are the best option.
- The individual should be able to cope with the demands of living independently
with minimum support.
- They must agree to take part and co-operate with the support available from the
Direct Payment Support Service and other agreed services.
- They must understand their responsibilities and obligations, which will have been
agreed in their support plan, in maintaining their home as a safe working environment.
- They must not pose a significant risk to the health and safety of support staff or
the general public.
- They must, if necessary, be able to manage their own medication.
Due to certain criminal justice and mental health legislation there are some people who
are unable to receive Direct Payments.