Using your direct payments
You can use the pre-paid card we give you to spend your direct payments.
If you don't think you can manage the payments yourself, you can choose someone else to look after your payments for you. That might be a family member, friend or organisation.
You can use your direct payments to buy the care equipment and services you need. For example, you might:
- set up regular payments to pay someone you receive support from, for example, a care agency or personal assistant
- pay a care agency for a service
- buy care equipment in a shop or online.
You can't use your card for things that don't meet the outcomes identified in your current care and support plan. If you don't have a copy of your care and support plan, contact your social care worker or call us on 0300 123 4042.
Direct Payments schedule 2025-26
Direct Payments schedule
| Date payment in account | Care and support period covered |
|---|
|
23 April 2025
|
20 April to 17 May 2025
|
|
19 May 2025
|
18 May to 14 June 2025
|
|
16 June 2025
|
15 June to 12 July 2025
|
|
14 July 2025
|
13 July to 9 August 2025
|
|
11 August 2025
|
10 August to 6 Sept 2025
|
|
8 September 2025
|
7 Sept to 4 Oct 2025
|
|
6 October 2025
|
5 Oct to 1 Nov 2025
|
|
3 November 2025
|
2 Nov to 29 Nov 2025
|
|
1 December 2025
|
30 Nov to 27 Dec 2025
|
|
29 December 2025
|
28 Dec 2025 to 24 Jan 2026
|
|
26 January 2026
|
25 Jan to 21 Feb 2026
|
|
23 February 2026
|
22 Feb to 21 March 2026
|
|
23 March 2026
|
22 March to 18 April 2026
|
Employing someone with your direct payments
You can use your direct payments to employ a personal assistant. Some people say this gives them the most control over the help they get. This option comes with the responsibility of being an employer.
This might sound complicated but you can get free independent advice.