Problems with direct payments

If the local council thinks that a direct payment has not been used properly, it can try to recover some, or all, of the payment.

The council could ask you to repay if either of the following apply:

• you haven't used all or part of the direct payment to buy the services which the payment was intended to pay for

• the direct payment was made subject to a condition which hasn't been met

If your local council says you should repay a direct payment, you should talk to an adviser.

Disability Rights UK has an Independent Living Advice Line that gives advice on getting direct payments and managing them.

Ending direct payments

You can ask to stop receiving direct payments at any time.

The local council must stop making direct payments if you stop being eligible to receive them.

The council might stop direct payments if either of the following apply:

• you haven't met the conditions for getting the direct payment

• they think you shouldn't be getting them anymore

If they're thinking about ending your direct payments, the council should always discuss it with you.

If the council stops your direct payments while you're still entitled to care services, they'll need to arrange the services themselves.

If your direct payments are stopped you might want to complain to the local council. Read about social services complaints