Direct Payments support area

Help with Direct Payments, including managing payments, employing personal assistants and finding guidance and forms.

On this page

What Direct Payments are

If you are eligible for care and support, you may be able to receive Direct Payments from the council.

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

You can use Direct Payments to:

  • arrange support yourself
  • employ a personal assistant
  • choose services that suit your needs

Help with Direct Payments

Adult Care Financial Services can help you with Direct Payment audits, pre-paid cards, contributions and employer responsibilities.

Auditing Direct Payments (Auditing Team)

Using pre-paid cards (Direct Payments Team)

Financial assessments and contributions (Community Assessments Team)

Employer support for personal assistants

Includes employing personal assistants and DBS checks.

General enquiries

Email: DPEnquiries@nottscc.gov.uk

Return unused Direct Payment money

If the council asks you to return unused Direct Payment money, for example, after an audit or when a Direct Payment has stopped, you can do this securely online.

Returning money online is quick and avoids delays caused by cheques or manual processing. You, or a trusted friend or a family member, can return the money.

You will need:

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

Return unused Direct Payment money online

Employing a personal assistant

A personal assistant (PA) helps with daily tasks and personal care to support independent living. If you use Direct Payments to employ a PA, you take on legal and financial responsibilities as an employer.

Understanding employing a PA

Finding and recruiting a PA

Managing your responsibilities as an employer

Direct Payments guidance and forms

Find guidance and forms to manage your Direct Payments.

Understanding Direct Payments

Managing your Direct Payment

Additional support and situations

Policy and other guidance