Direct Payments Factsheet
A8: Useful things you need to know
Understanding Direct Payments: Support for your Social Care Needs
Direct payments are not a benefit. The money comes from North Yorkshire Council to meet your assessed social care needs. It is an alternative to services being arranged for you.
Having direct payments will not affect your benefits or be counted as income.
Restrictions on employing family members living with you
You are generally prohibited from employing family members who live with you. In exceptional circumstances you may be able to do so, but you must first obtain agreement in writing from the council for this to happen. Be aware that this could affect any household benefits. Always consult with your direct payments advisor before proceeding.
Taking your time to decide on Direct Payments
You can take as long as you need to decide if you want to use direct payments. While you decide we will arrange interim services to meet your needs.
Manging your care with support
This may feel like a big responsibility but don’t worry, there is a lot of support to help you manage the scheme and succeed. The most important thing is that you are in control, but this does not mean doing everything on your own.
You can mix your care arrangements. For instance, you could ask the council to arrange some of your support and use a direct payment to arrange some of the support yourself. A mix and match of services that you choose.
Enhance flexibility with additional funds
You can add your own money to top up a direct payment to make it even more flexible.
Payroll made easy for employers
You do not have to calculate tax and National Insurance if you employ someone. The direct payment support service will signpost you to a payroll service.
There are no difficult forms for you to fill in. We only need to see your bank statements and other documents such as payslips, invoices, etc, to check your fund is working properly.
Your life, your choices, your control
Most people who use direct payments say they would not choose to have services arranged for them again. The most important thing is to be in control of your own life. Direct payments mean that you have freedom, choice, control, and flexibility in your life to have the help you need. But if direct payments don’t work for you, the council can arrange services for you instead.
