disability related expenses (dre) · disability related expenses (dre) most people have to pay...
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Adult Care Services
Factsheet Easy Read
Direct Payments It’s your life. Take control
Using direct payments
for your care and support
needs
Direct payments are a
different way of getting the
support you need
You are in charge
You can choose what services
you use and who you get
them from
Easy Read – It’s your life Take control
Before you can get a direct
payment from us, we will talk
to you to find out what help
you need. This is called an
assessment
We will then tell you if you
can get support from us We
will tell you how much money
this will cost us
This is called a personal
budget
You can ask us to give you
some or all of this money.
Then you can buy the social
care support you want
instead of using services
These payments are known as
direct payments
Easy Read – It’s your life Take control
Who can get direct payments?
You can get a direct payment from us when
You have had an assessment and we agree you can get social care services
And you have been assessed
and we agree you can get
financial help from us
And you are over 16
And you are happy to
manage your direct
payment or have someone
who can help you with this
You can get help and
advice on direct payments
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Easy Read – It’s your life Take control
How do I get a direct payment?
If you already use our services
please speak to the person
you usually talk to about
these services
Or call us
on 0300 123 4042
Or visit our website
www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/
directpayments
How much money will I get?
You will get the amount of
that it costs us to meet your
needs
If you pay towards your
care you can still get a direct
payment
We will simply take this from
the total amount that we
would have paid you
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What can I spend my direct payment on?
You must spend direct
payments on support that we
agree you need
This is written down in your
care and support plan
This may include:-
Paying for a home care
worker to visit you
Helping you to get out and
about in your community
Celebrating your culture
Helping you to stay in
touch with friends and family
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What can’t I spend my direct payment on?
You can’t use your direct payments for anything that is against the law or anything that we did not agree to in your assessment
You can talk to us if you have any questions about this
How will I get my direct payment?
You will need to open a new
bank account for your direct payment
You will need to keep your Bank statements and receipts
so we can check how the money has been spent
We can find someone to help
you do this, or you can ask someone you know to help
you
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Direct payments for carers
You are a carer if you provide
unpaid help to a family
member, friend or neighbour
and they would not be able to
manage without your help
Carers have a right to a
carer’s assessment and may
get a direct payment to help
them to look after their own
health and wellbeing
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Easy Read – It’s your life Take control
Where to get help and advice about direct payments
There are companies who can
help you arrange services and
set up your direct payment
with you
Independent specialists called
brokers can give you help and
advice to arrange your own
care services
This service may be FREE or
there may be a charge
To find out more and get a list
of approved brokers
• search ‘brokers’ on
www.hertfordshire.gov.uk
• talk to your care manager
• phone us on 0300 123 4042
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Easy Read – It’s your life Take control
Leonard Cheshire provides
independent advice that is
FREE of charge to
Hertfordshire residents
Telephone: 01462 439000
email:
Web:
www.leonardcheshire.org
For more information from us
Call us on 0300 123 4042
or visit our website at
www.hertfordshire.gov.uk