What can I spend direct payments on?

You can spend direct payments on services, equipment, or activities that meet your social care needs, and you can buy these from organisations or individuals.

There are different things that you could spend direct payments on, such as:

• Someone to care for you at home,
• Transport, such as taxis,
• Help with shopping or budgeting,
• Educational classes (for example, art or writing classes),
• Pooling direct payments with other people to employ a tutor to give classes,
• Respite, which could include a hotel stay or day trips with a friend,
• Help with childcare,
• Employing a personal assistant, or
• Going to the gym.

Is there anything I cannot use my direct payments for?

You cannot use direct payments to pay for health services or permanent accommodation but you can use them to pay for short stays of up to four weeks in any 12 months in residential accommodation. 

Can I use direct payments to pay a relative to care for me?

You can use direct payments to pay a relative to meet your needs as long as you do not live with them. If you live with a relative, you may be able to pay for their care using the direct payments, but only in exceptional circumstances when it is decided that this is in your best interest.