Direct payments
Even though the money for all or part of your care might come from the council, you are the customer. You have a right to be listened to and your opinions should be respected. We may pay for your care workers but they are there to help you and should do everything possible to respect your needs.
To give more power to the people who use social care, the Government introduced a new system called Direct Payments. This gives you the ability to choose and buy your own care. With Direct Payments, we pay you an agreed amount (less any amount you have to pay yourself). You can then hire the care service of your choice. That way they work for you and not for the council.
You have a right to buy and manage your own care if you want. We will offer you the option of Direct Payments and we will refer you to someone who can help you manage this process through our Direct Payments Support Scheme.
Direct Payments may be the best way for you to stay in charge of the care you receive. But you will need to do your homework to make sure that Direct Payments are best for you. You can speak to the Direct Payments Support Scheme before you make a final decision. They can tell you the different options available.
A Direct Payment is not a benefit and it will not affect any benefits you receive. A Direct Payment is not deemed as income so this will not prevent you from claiming benefits.
If you prefer for us to arrange your care, we will put together a range of services that meet your needs and are based on your preferences.
Contact us
Shaw Trust
Walsall Direct Payments Support Service
Walsall Disability Centre
114 Lichfield Street
Walsall
WS1 1SZ
Telephone: 0800 432 0071
Fax: 01922 621308
Text phone: 18001 01922 623535
Email: walsall.dpss@shaw-trust.org.uk
This page was last updated on 18 July 2008