Direct Payments for carers
If you are a carer and provide 20 or more hours of support to a disabled person or older adult in Barnet then you may be eligible for a carers Direct Payment.
As a council we recognise that as a carer you provide valuable support to the person you care for and that you may benefit from a little support for yourself. The carers Direct Payment can provide up to £250 per annum towards the cost of that support in relation to work, leisure or training opportunities. This is not subject to a financial assessment and there is no charge for this.
It is important to remember that a carers Direct Payment is to meet your needs as a carer and not the person you are caring for. If you think the person you are caring for requires support or a direct payment then please apply to your appropriate social work and request a assessment.
A carers Direct Payment is designed to help improve your opportunities in relation to work, education, training or leisure. We have provided some examples to help illustrate how flexibly your carers Direct Payments may be used:
- Training courses
- Club membership
- Costs towards a holiday or break
- Swimming sessions
- Driving lessons
- Household items e.g. washing machine
- Mobile telephones.
How to apply for a carers Direct Payment
In order to receive a carers Direct Payment you must have a carers assessment with a social worker. If the person you care for has a social worker then ask them for this assessment otherwise contact the relevant social work team and request a carers assessment.
Would you like more information or support?
If you are having difficulties or would like further information then please contact Barnet Carers Centre on 020 8343 9698 and they will be happy to advise you.
Respite Care
You can apply separately for a direct payment for respite care. This would be a direct payment to the person you care for and would be in addition to your carers Direct Payment which is specifically for you.
Direct payments for respite care would be paid to the person you care for, although of course you may chose to assist them with this, and they would need to have an assessment by a social worker or care manager to determine whether they are eligible.
Direct payments for respite provide more options for families. For instance you may want respite at home and the payment can be used to provide assistance in the home. You also do not need to spend it all in one block but spread it over the year. The person you care for may not want to go to a residential home for their respite and you may chose to have a holiday together but use the money to pay for a personal assistant to provide care.
For more information about Direct payments for carers, please contact the Direct Payments Advisory Service.
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