Direct payments

A direct payment is money which goes into your bank. What you can do with the money depends on your support plan, but you might be able to:

• Employ a support worker or a personal assistant. • Buy equipment. • Pay for a support agency of your choice. • Have a short break.

You cannot:

• Employ someone who lives with you – unless you have special reasons for this. • Buy food, clothing or general things. • Pay for time spent in a residential home.

Many people enjoy having a direct payment because it means they can choose for themselves, they don’t have to rely on other people to organise their lives.

SUGGEST is an organisation made up of people who have a direct payment. It’s a local charity. SUGGEST will help you to manage your money properly.

SUGGEST can:

• Help find a personal assistant (PA) or support worker. • Help you to be a good employer. • Work out the wages for your PA or support worker. • Help with paperwork.

Overleaf is an example of how SUGGEST can help.