The difference between Direct Payment and 'direct payments' :Cross Stitch – Money, tax and benefits

Direct Payment of benefits and pensions is different from ‘direct payments’ from your local council.

If you qualify for help from social services following an assessment, you can choose to receive payments from them (called ‘direct payments’). Direct payments are to buy the services you need to meet your needs. This is instead of receiving the services direct from your local council.

Direct payments can be made to:

• disabled people aged 16 or over (with short or long-term needs)
• disabled parents for children’s services
• carers aged 16 or over (including people with parental responsibility for a disabled child)
• elderly people who need community care services