Direct Payments — Your Care, Your Way
Direct Payments give you the freedom and funding to arrange your own care and support, exactly how and when you need it. We're here to help you every step of the way.
Support that puts you in control
The Disability Resource Centre provides a wide range of services to help you live independently at home. A Direct Payment is a support system that allows people with individual needs to live at home and arrange their own care.
Instead of your local council arranging and providing services for you, they give you money to arrange and pay for support yourself. This might include employing a personal assistant, paying a care agency, or purchasing equipment and services to meet your assessed needs.
With Direct Payments, you can choose exactly who provides your support and how your care is delivered — allowing you to maintain independence and make choices that best suit your lifestyle.
How Direct Payments work:
- Your local council assesses your care needs
- You're offered Direct Payments if you're eligible
- You receive funding and manage it yourself (or with support)
- You arrange and pay for your own care and support
- You can change your support as your needs change
Take Control of Your Care
Direct Payments empower you to:
- Choose your own care provider or personal assistant
- Decide when and how you receive support
- Build a care package tailored to you
- Make changes quickly and easily
- Maintain your independence and dignity
Payroll Management
We handle all payroll administration for your personal assistants — including wages, tax, National Insurance, and pension contributions — so you don't have to worry about the paperwork.
Find Out MorePA Recruitment
We help you find, interview, and recruit the right personal assistants. Our team provides advice, support, and access to a bank of local PAs looking for work with Direct Payment recipients.
Find a PAOngoing Support
Our advisors provide ongoing guidance on employment law, contracts, training resources, and your responsibilities as an employer — so you always feel confident managing your care.
Get SupportOur Direct Payments Impact
500+
people supported with Direct Payments each year
35+
years of experience in independent living support
Free
all our advice and guidance is completely free
Contact Us
Start with a simple conversation. Get in touch with our Direct Payments team and we’ll help you understand what support is available and what to do next.
Needs Assessment
Your local council looks at your care needs. This assessment helps decide whether Direct Payments are suitable and what level of support you may receive.
Receive Funding
Once approved, your Direct Payment is set up. The funding becomes available so you can begin arranging support in the way that works best for you.
Arrange Care
Choose the people and support that suit you. You can appoint a PA, use an agency, or build a package that matches your lifestyle and routine.
Ongoing Support
We stay alongside you after setup. From payroll and managed accounts to practical advice, we help you keep everything running smoothly.
Find answers to common questions about Direct Payments.