Direct Payments

A direct payment is a cash payment to allow you to buy your own support instead of Social Services providing it for you. You can use the money to employ a personal assistant or you can use an agency to provide staff for you.

You can 'mix and match' and have some of your support provided by Social Services and take some as a direct payment.  However, you can't use the money to employ a close relative or person living in your home. You must use the money to meet your assessed needs.

Cheshire social services have an agreement with Cheshire Disabilities Federation for them to provide support to people receiving direct payments. They employ direct payments advisors to help with all aspects of direct payments:

• Advice on the how direct payments can increase independence
• Help with recruiting selecting and employing staff
• Training on record keeping and managing your direct payments
• Information on insurance and health and safety issues.

For more information you can visit Cheshire's Direct Payments Pages (external Link) or you can contact Cheshire Disabilities Federation by writing to:

Cheshire Disabilities Federation
Hartford Business Centre
Chester Road
Hartford
Northwich
CW8 2AB
Telephone: 01606 888255

or take a look at their website at http://www.cdf-northwest.org.uk/aboutus.htm (external link)