Adult's Direct Payments in Westmorland and Furness

An adults direct payment is a form of financial assistance provided by local authorities (such as Westmorland and Furness Council) to individuals who are eligible for social care services. This could be for you, or someone you care for. Instead of the local authority arranging and paying for the services directly, the individual receives funds to arrange their own care and support, offering greater control and flexibility.

You are eligible to receive a Direct Payment if you: 

• Have been assessed as needing care services or as needing a piece of equipment to help you
• Have been assessed as needing support to help you look after someone else
• Are a parent of a child assessed as needing support. 

And:

• You are able to understand what a Direct Payment is and that you will be responsible for how it is spent 
• You are able to direct your own care, this means you are able to say what you want and when you want it 
• You can manage the budget independently or with support from someone else. 

If you are unsure on whether or not you are eligible for a direct payment, please reach out to Westmorland and Furness Council through their Single Point of Access on 0300 373 3301.

Each local authority has a different criteria when it comes to direct payments. 

Westmorland and Furness Council keep up to date information to help you know if you could be eligible. You can speak to your social worker who will be able to provide you with information or contact your Local Authority's ‘Single Point of Access’ to discuss further.

Every local authority in England has a Single Point of Access which is ran by a team of experienced clinicians whose focus is to evaluate an individuals needs using the information provided by the referrer. They work with services who provide direct payments, like ourselves, to discuss the referral and the appropriate action plan going forward.

Every step taken, is one that looks towards the referee's best interests.

To speak to Westmorland and Furness' Single Point of Access, please ring 0300 373 3301.

If you are eligible for a direct payment, you will have been assessed as needing care due to age, disability, or health conditions. The direct payment can be used to:

• Hire personal care assistants
• Buy necessary equipment
• Access services such as day care.

The main benefit of the direct payment is that individuals can tailor the support they receive to better fit their personal needs and preferences.

If you have your direct payment with us, our team can support you every step of your direct payment journey. When you start working with us, our Independent Living Co-Ordinators will be able to assist you with:

• Setting up Personal Assistants
  
• Recruitment Support
• Supporing with self-employed workers
• Liability Insurance
• Setting up your managed account
• Any queries you have along the way.

At UDirect Support, we are proud to offer specialised training to support both the employer and Personal Assistants. Funded by Skills for Care, and working alongside DAD (Darlington Association on Disability) and Disability North our courses have been designed to equip you with the expert skills, knowledge and confidence to provide compassionate and high-quality care.