Direct payments can be used to buy services from an organisation or employ somebody to provide assistance. As a carer, you can use a direct payment to purchase the services you are assessed as needing to support you in your caring role. This includes support that may help maintain your health and well-being. For example, driving lessons or a holiday so you can have time to yourself.
To get direct payments you´ll need to contact your local council to ask them to assess your needs.
Your local council is obliged to offer you the option of direct payments in place of the services you currently receive. (There are some limited circumstances where you are not given this choice and your council will be able to tell you about these.)
If you already get services from your local council, ask about direct payments. If you are applying for services for the first time, your local council social services department should discuss the direct payments option with you when they assess your needs. Visit www.direct.gov.uk
Direct payments are not a replacement of income and therefore do not affect any other benefits you may be receiving.
The following link will let you enter details of where you live and then take you to your local authority website where you can apply for a carer´s assessment and/or find out more.
Apply for a carer´s assessment locally