How do I buy my own care?

A direct payment is money paid to an individual who has chosen to organise their own care instead of receiving services arranged by us.

A direct payment can give you more choice and control in meeting your care needs and can be used to purchase services from an agency or to employ personal assistants.

• Who can receive a direct payment?

• What kind of services are included?

• How do I get a direct payment?

• More information on direct payment

Who can receive a direct payment?

To be eligible for a direct payment you have to be:

• assessed as being in need of community care or housing support services (which can include aids or adaptations)

• a disabled person aged 16, or over

• a child in need, assessed as requiring support

• willing to use a direct payment

• able to manage the direct payment (alone or with the assistance of others)

A legal representative can consent to, set up, vary and receive direct payments on behalf of a person who is unable to give consent.

What kind of services are included?

You can use a direct payment to pay for all care services apart from residential care. You may have to complete a financial assessment depending on the type of care you need.

How do I get a direct payment?

Firstly, you need to have your needs assessed.  Your assessed needs will determine the level of payment you receive.

Some services provided by us have a charge, subject to a financial assessment.  The same applies to direct payments.

Direct payments will not be taken into account when assessing your income for welfare benefits. Direct payments are not liable to income tax.

More information

More information about direct payments is in our guide to direct payments:

• A guide to direct payments (pdf 119kb)

Our information booklet - Are Direct Payments Right for me includes information on the application process, responsibilities of an employer, and monitoring and reviewing. There are also useful contacts - for example advocacy, payroll and support organisations.This booklet is aimed at existing and potential direct payment recipients.

• Are Direct Payments Right for me? information booklet (pdf 532kb)

Or you can:

• contact your care manager or local social work office

• contact Cornerstone, the independent support agency for direct payments in Aberdeenshire on 01224 256053

• look at the Scottish Government website guidance