Direct Payments support area

Help with Direct Payments, including understanding how they work, managing Direct Payments, employing Personal Assistants and getting support.

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Understanding Direct Payments

If you are eligible for care and support from Nottinghamshire County Council, you may be able to receive Direct Payments.

Direct Payments are money paid to you so you can arrange some or all of your own care and support, giving you more choice and control over how your needs are met.

You can use them to:

  • arrange your own care and support
  • employ a Personal Assistant (PA)
  • choose services that suit your needs
  • buy support, services or agreed items that help meet the outcomes in your care and support plan

You can manage them yourself, ask a trusted family member or friend to help, or get support from a Direct Payment Support Service.

For detailed information about who can receive Direct Payments, how they can be used, managing responsibilities and getting support, read the Direct Payments explained factsheet.

Managing Direct Payments

If you receive Direct Payments, you will have some responsibilities.

You will usually need to:

  • use the money in line with your care and support plan
  • keep records of how the money is spent
  • keep invoices, receipts, timesheets or wage records
  • provide information if requested during an audit

Using a prepaid card

Using a prepaid card is a simple way to manage your Direct Payment.

A prepaid card:

  • is loaded with your Direct Payment every 4 weeks
  • can be used online, by phone, or in person to pay approved providers and services
  • means you do not need to open a separate bank account
  • cannot become overdrawn

If you use a prepaid card, you do not usually need to provide bank statements during audits because transactions can be viewed securely online.

For detailed information about setting up, using and managing a prepaid card, read the Direct Payments and prepaid cards factsheet.

If you need to prove your identity before a prepaid card can be issued, read the Pre-paid card: Know Your Customer (KYC) checks factsheet.

Direct Payment audits

Everyone who receives a Direct Payment will have routine checks, known as audits. Audits help make sure the money is being used in line with the agreed care and support plan.

Accounts are usually audited:

  • around 8 weeks after your first payment
  • after about 1 year
  • every year after that

You may be asked to provide:

  • bank statements
  • receipts
  • invoices
  • timesheets

If a Direct Payment Support Service manages your account, they will provide the information needed for audits.

For detailed information about Direct Payment audits, including what information you may need to provide, read the Direct Payment audits factsheet.

Voluntary top-ups

We have a maximum amount it would normally pay for support. If you choose a provider that charges more, you may need to make a voluntary top-up payment.

A voluntary top-up:

  • can be paid by you or someone else on your behalf
  • is separate from any assessed contribution towards your care
  • should be affordable and sustainable for as long as the arrangement continues

For detailed information about Direct Payment voluntary top-ups, including who can pay them and how they work, read the Direct Payment voluntary top-up factsheet.

Employing a Personal Assistant with Direct Payments

A Personal Assistant (PA) helps with day-to-day activities, personal care and other support that helps you live independently.

Using Direct Payments to employ a PA can give you more flexibility and control over the support you receive.

Your responsibilities as an employer

If you employ a PA, you become an employer and take on legal and financial responsibilities.

These can include:

  • employer's liability insurance
  • contracts of employment
  • right to work checks
  • holiday pay and sick pay
  • tax and National Insurance responsibilities
  • pension responsibilities where applicable
  • paying wages into the PA's own bank account

If you do not want to manage these responsibilities yourself, a Direct Payment Support Service may be able to help.

For detailed information about employing a Personal Assistant, including your responsibilities as an employer, read the Employing a Personal Assistant factsheet.

Find and recruit a Personal Assistant

The Personal Assistant Directory on Your Notts Directory can help you find and recruit Personal Assistants who meet your needs. You can use it to:

  • search for Personal Assistants
  • advertise vacancies
  • recruit support that meets your needs

Further help with employing a Personal Assistant

Employed or self-employed Personal Assistants

Most Personal Assistants working for people who receive Direct Payments are employees.

If a PA says they are self-employed, their employment status should be checked using HMRC guidance.

Employment status affects:

  • tax
  • National Insurance
  • pension contributions
  • employer responsibilities

Employment status guidance

Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks

If your Personal Assistant needs a DBS check, we can help arrange one.

Request a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check for Personal Assistants

Personal information and privacy

If you employ a PA, you may need a privacy notice explaining how their personal information is used.

You can use this template to explain how you collect, use and store your PA's personal information: Individual employer privacy notice template [Word]

Getting support with Direct Payments

Direct Payment Support Services

You do not have to manage Direct Payments on your own.

A Direct Payment Support Service (DPSS) can help you manage your payments and provide support when you need it. Many services provide a named contact, so you know who to contact for help and advice.

Support may include:

  • payroll
  • employing Personal Assistants
  • recruitment support
  • managed accounts
  • paperwork and record keeping

If you use one of our contracted providers, we will usually pay them directly.

For detailed information about Direct Payment Support Services, including the support available and how to choose a provider, read the Direct Payment Support Services factsheet.

Forms, policies and useful resources

Direct Payments forms

Policy and privacy

Other useful resources

Return unused Direct Payment money

If the council asks you to return unused Direct Payment money, you can do this securely online.

You may need to return money:

  • after an audit
  • when a Direct Payment has ended
  • following a request from the Direct Payments Team

Returning money online is the quickest and easiest way to return the money.

You, or a trusted friend or family member, can return the money on your behalf.

You will need:

  • your Direct Payment bank card
  • the reference number from the letter or email from the Direct Payments Team
  • the amount to return

To return Direct Payment money securely online, use our Return unused Direct Payment money online service.

Contact us

Direct Payment audits

For questions about Direct Payment audits:

Prepaid card support

For help with prepaid cards:

Financial assessments and contributions

For questions about financial assessments or contributions:

Employing a Personal Assistant

For help with employing Personal Assistants, recruitment or DBS checks.

General Direct Payment enquiries

If you're not sure who to contact, email the Direct Payments Team and we will help you find the right support.

Email: [email protected]