'Paying Our Own Way' / Direct Payments:

What are Direct Payments?

A Direct Payment is cash paid to individuals by the Local Authority in order to purchase their own community care support which meets their assessed needs.

Direct Payments are available across the country and members are already benefiting from the service within Wigan Borough.

Direct Payments gives the individual control over their providers of care and how and when it will be provided. You can either employ someone to provide your care or find someone through an agency.

Age UK Wigan Borough has been funded to help people in using Direct Payments:

Direct Payments can be used for a variety of purposes, providing that you have been assessed as needing them by the Local Authority for example, short term breaks or respite care.

Age UK Wigan Borough can provide you with information, advice and support on all aspects of Direct Payments or we can signpost you to partner organisations which can help you in practical ways.

For example, assistance can be provided in relation to recruitment, training and managing staff, undertaking tasks such as advertising, developing job descriptions or contracts of employment; providing support in relation to the legalities of employment, providing a contact number to use in advertising/ acting as initial contact, sending out application forms and job descriptions, providing interviewing support and many other types of support..

If you require further information on Direct Payments please contact our Leigh office on:

 Tel: 01942 607337
Fax: 01942 671890