What is a direct payment? Money paid by your local council to you if you get help from Adult Social Care.

Having Direct Payments allows you to arrange your own support, allowing you to choose your own care company for providing care, or you can have a service given to you by the council.

Benefits or pensions are not affected by having Direct Payments.

What can you use Direct Payments for?

• Care and support at home
• Getting out and about
• Short breaks and respite
• Employing a personal assistant
• For equipment to help you live independently

If you already get help from your local council, you can get in touch with them and ask about Direct Payments.

If you do not receive help, contact them and see if you are eligible for support.

Other facts:

• You can have your payments on a Kent Card.
• A Kent Card is like a debit card.
• The money they pay you goes directly onto this card.
• You manage this money and buy your support.
• It is not a credit card, and you cannot get into debt.
• Or you can have the payment made directly into your bank account.