Islington Direct Payments Team

Direct Payments are monetary payments made by councils directly to individuals eligible for community care services. Direct Payments comprise one way in which an individual can choose to receive their personal budget to meet their assessed needs instead of getting services managed by Social Services.

Direct Payments offer more independence, choice and control about the support or services you need. Control of the money is passed to you. People who choose Direct Payments are able to use the money to employ and manage their own personal support assistants, or make an individual contract with a care agency for example. In fact you can use your direct payments to pay for any support that will help you keep your independence, stay healthy and well and that is part of the support plan you agree with Social Services.

Direct payments are not considered as income and will not affect your benefits. The scheme is not the same as the Department of Work and Pensions Scheme to pay welfare benefits directly into bank accounts.