Direct Payments

Direct Payments means Adult and Community Services giving you money so that you can arrange the services or equipment you need directly. With Direct Payments you can decide what help you need, who you want to help you, and you can organise it to suit your lifestyle.

If you are eligible for support, you have the option of receiving Direct Payments and you can organise the support you need.

Who can get Direct Payments?

Direct Payments can be given to adults, carers, young disabled people aged 16 or 17 and, in certain circumstances, to parents or guardians to support their children. Direct Payments are intended to help more people take control of the help they need to live at home. People living in residential care can also get Direct Payments to try out independent living arrangements.

If I am already receiving services, can I decide to switch to Direct Payments?

If you already receive services from Adult and Community Services, and you are interested in Direct Payments, just speak to your care manager or social worker who will explain the scheme to you in more detail, or put you in touch with other organisations who can advise you.

Where can I find out more?

The pages in this section give you more information about Direct Payments. If you would like to talk to someone about them you can contact:

Richmond Users Independent Living Scheme (RUILS)

Disability Action & Advice Centre (DAAC)

4 Waldegrave Road (A309)
Teddington
TW11 8HT

Telephone: 020 8831 6083/4
Email:cathymaker@ruils.co.uk, jackiejones@ruils.co.uk, jackiepilcher@ruils.co.uk.

Office hours: Monday to Friday 10am - 5pm.

If you do not receive help but you have difficulty living independently at home, you should contact your local Adult and Community Services care team.

If you are the parent or carer of a disabled child, you should contact the social work team for Disabled Children and Young People.

The text on this page has been approved by the Social Services and Housing Reader's Forum.

Our service standards

This is what you can expect from our Direct Payments service:

• You will be able to access the Direct Payment Support Service run by RUILS if you require assistance in setting up your direct payment.
• We aim to have your direct payment set up within 4 weeks of you agreeing to receive one.
• The money for your direct payment will be paid monthly in advance directly into your bank account.