Direct payments
If your council assesses you as needing care, it can give you the money instead of arranging the care itself, so you can choose and arrange care yourself.
How direct payments work
Direct payments let you choose and buy the services you need yourself, instead of getting them from your council (GOV.UK). In England, Scotland and Wales they come from the council, and you must be over 16; in Northern Ireland, the Health and Social Care Trust offers them (nidirect). You can only get direct payments after you have been assessed as needing help.
Needs assessment
The council assesses care needs. See council funding.
Personal budget
The council works out how much your care should cost and what you pay towards it.
Direct payment agreement
You agree how the money will be used and how you will show what it was spent on.
Arrange your care
You choose who provides the care and pay them from the direct payment.
Using direct payments with a self-employed carer
Many councils let you use direct payments to pay a self-employed carer, including one introduced by an agency like LCH Care. Rules differ between councils, so check with yours before you arrange care, and keep the invoices and records the council asks for.
Things to check with your council
- Whether the payment can be used for a self-employed carer
- How you need to keep records and report spending
- Whether a separate bank account or a payment card is needed
- Their rules on paying family members
If you pay someone to care for you directly, you may become their employer, with employer duties. A genuinely self-employed carer is different, but check the arrangement with your council.
Rates and rules checked against GOV.UK and the NHS in October 2026. Benefit rates usually change each April.
More on paying for care
Questions
Who can get direct payments?
People over 16 whom the council has assessed as needing help, in England, Scotland and Wales. In Northern Ireland, ask your Health and Social Care Trust.
Can I use direct payments for LCH Care?
Many councils allow direct payments to pay a self-employed carer. Check with your council before you arrange care.
Do I become an employer?
You may, if you pay someone to care for you directly as an employee. Using a self-employed carer is different; check with your council.