Direct payments - what they are

If the local council has decided that you're entitled to community care services, you might be able to get 'direct payments' instead of the services. You can use the direct payments to pay for your care services.

You can use direct payments to help you buy services for adults, children or carers.

If you're eligible for direct payments, you can choose to have:

• just direct payments

• just services that are provided or arranged by the local council

• a mixture of direct payments and services

The local council can't force you to accept direct payments instead of council services.

Check if you can get direct payments.

Check how you can use direct payments.

Reviews

If you get direct payments, the local council should review your care regularly. 

The review will make sure: 

• the direct payments allow you to pay for the care you need

• the care you get meets your needs

If you’re getting direct payments for someone else

The local council should review your care within the first year you get direct payments. After this, they should review your care at least once a year.

You can read more about direct payments on the Social Care Wales website.