We know that for many people, managing their Direct Payment themselves is not possible. It might be something they do not want to take responsibility for. There are a number of resources and support systems that you can use to help you handle some or all of the management of your Direct Payment.
You can also use these services if you are a carer running a Direct Payment for a friend or family member.
If you do not have anyone to open a bank account with, we can pay your personal budget money to your managed account. We can also do this if you do not want us to manage your budget for you.
This means you still make all the decisions about your care but you don’t have to have anything to do with the money or employment side of it. The organisation that manages the account will pay any staff and invoices for you.
The cost of a managed account can be paid from your Direct Payments.
This option may be ideal for you if you:
- wish to be in control of the care you receive
- do not want to manage money, or be in charge of paying your staff
How it works
1. Tell us who you want your money paid to
We’ll provide you with a list of providers of managed accounts, and the different types of support that they can offer. Just let your support worker know which provider you want to use. There is a full list below of the support providers, and the services they offer.
2. Sign an agreement
You’ll need to sign a Direct Payment agreement that shows:
- how much money you'll receive
- what you must contribute towards the cost of your support
- how your Direct Payment money should be used, for example, if it is to be used to buy different services or support
- terms and conditions of your Direct Payment
3. We pay our part of your personal budget
Every 4 weeks we'll send a payment for our part of your personal budget to an account managed by your chosen organisation.
4. Your contributions
Unless your assessment shows that you do not have to pay anything, we’ll send you a bill for your care every 4 weeks.
Your charges will be worked out from the date your care and support services started. We will only bill you for the amount your assessment showed you can afford to pay.
You’ll pay your contribution into the same managed account.
5. Staff time sheets
If you employ staff, make sure that the time sheet is sent on time to the organisation every month.
Individual Service Fund (ISF)
If you have all your support provided by a single organisation, then you can choose to have them manage your Direct Payment fund. This is called an Individual Services Fund.
Read more about Individual Service Fund
Alternatively disAbility Cornwall can manage your ISF, and work with your support organisation. Visit disAbility Cornwall website for more information.
Support services for Direct Payments
Support services can help you manage the funds, or you can also nominate someone you know to help you. Alternatively, your social work professional can work with you to approve someone to manage it on your behalf.
There are different types of support on offer. In each case, the organisation will handle the relevant record keeping and administration for you. They will also act as the link between you and the Direct Payments team, for the relevant information.
Recruitment
Support to recruit, hire and train personal assistants. For more information visit disAbility Cornwall 'Humans' section.
Payroll
Payroll support to help you pay staff and arrange their annual leave, taxes etc.
- disAbility Cornwall - PAMAS
Read more about disAbility Cornwall PAMAS
- Purple Zest
Read more about Purple Direct Payment Support Service
- David Howard
Read more about David Howard's Support Services
- Payroll Direct
Read more about Payroll Direct Support Services
Managed account
Managed Account Services, which manage all the financial aspects of your Direct Payment for you.
- disAbility Cornwall - PAMAS
- Purple Zest
Download the full contact list for Support Services we recommend