Department of Health

Website of the Department of Health

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Direct payments

Direct payments are cash payments made to individuals who have been assessed as needing services, in lieu of social service provisions.

An introduction to direct payments

Direct payments are cash payments made to individuals who have been assessed as needing services, in lieu of social service provisions.

Increasing the take up of direct payments

Direct payments are a success for those who have them. Unfortunately many people are simply not being offered them when they should be. There are wide variations in uptake, both between local council schemes and across the different groups of individuals.

Extending the availability of direct payments

In the White Paper, Our health, our care, our say, the Department also committed to extend the scope of direct payments to those currently excluded from having a direct payment (because they cannot consent or manage a payment, even with assistance), if this is in their best interest.

Publications and resources related to direct payments

This section includes a selection of key publications related to direct payments.

Additional links

Individual budgets

The individual budgets pilot is a cross government initiative led by the Department of Health that aims to provide greater choice and control for people needing support.

Make an enquiry

If you would like to make an enquiry about DH policy related to direct payments please email

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