Ways to receive your Direct Payment
You can choose how you’ll receive your Direct Payment. You can either:
- manage your own payments; this is called Self-Managed Direct Payment
- have your payments sent to a managed account provider who will support you; this is called Managed Account Direct Payment
Self-Managed Direct Payment
Self-Managed Direct Payment gives you full choice and control, including the ability to directly employ staff. However, you must be confident in managing money and paperwork or have the right support in place.
You can receive your Direct Payment:
- into a dedicated bank account that you set up just for Direct Payments. This helps keep your care funding separate and easier to manage
- via a pre-paid card that we will give to you. This option is not suitable if you hire your own staff, such as a personal assistant
- via a managed account provider. This is a company that looks after the money for you
Your responsibilities
If you choose to manage the payment yourself, you’ll be responsible for:
- arranging and paying for your care and support in line with your agreed care and support plan
- keeping accurate records, including bank statements, receipts, and invoices
- submitting financial information to us for audit purposes
Managed Account Direct Payment
If you do not want to manage the financial aspects yourself, you can choose to have your Direct Payment paid to a managed account provider.
You still have all the choice and control of a self-managed Direct Payment, including the option to employ your own staff, but with added support to manage the finances.
The managed account provider will:
- hold the funds on your behalf
- make payments for your care and support in line with your care and support plan
- help you keep records (such as receipts) and submit the information to us