Together, UK Mental Health Charity working alongside each person with mental health issues on their journey towards greater wellbeing. Trusted experts in service user involvement
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Direct Payments experiences
Adam’s Story
During a routine outpatients appointment it was identified I might benefit from attending a day centre. I was apprehensive about this so we had a further discussion about what would help my mental health. It was agreed that other activities such as volunteering, using public transport and attending the gym would be more beneficial.
I applied for direct payments with the support from a local Direct Payments Scheme. I now receive the money I would have been allocated to use a day service and use it for alternatives, such as getting support for someone to help build my confidence on public transport, and a travel pass so I can get buses to attend my volunteering job at Together’s head office. I also used the money to attend an induction a gym and now go there on a regular basis. The only challenges I had to overcome were opening up a separate bank account and keeping a record of purchases. It’s easier now though as I don’t have to send in my receipts, just my bank statements to show what’s going in and out.
What’s good about direct payments is that you have more choice about what support you receive.
Joanne’s Story
I started out by talking with my CPN, who is my care co-ordinator, and with my Together support worker. I wanted to find out if they would continue supporting me if I got direct payments.
My CPN approached his manager about it, as he hadn’t dealt with direct payments before it was all new to him as well. He asked me what sort of support I would need from Together if I got it and I suggested three hours of support a week, one to go to the gym, one for emotional support, and one for help with domestic issues.
He then went back to his manager and got the forms, which we filled in together. We also had to check with Together what the hourly rate for support was. After filling the form in I received a letter to say I had been awarded the money and I had to open a basic bank account to pay the money into.
The challenge I faced was that I had trouble opening a bank account suitable for the direct payments. The council had said they wanted payments made by cheque, but as I am on benefits and there would be less than £500 a month going through the account, the bank was reluctant to give me a cheque book.
I had a problem over the payment for the first part-month. The council had a schedule of payments and definite dates on which they made the payment, so I had a part-month at the beginning before my payments came in line with the schedule. I needed the money in whole hour’s worth as I have support in units of hours but they calculated the part-month by dividing the weekly amount by 7 and multiplying by the number of days in the part-month. This came to an amount which was not a exact multiple of the hourly rate, so I did not have the right amount of money to pay Together...I had real problems trying to explain this to the lady at the council. The things that made the process easier were that Together were very happy to take me on and my CPN was very supportive and fought my corner.
The good thing about direct payments is having choice. We are all different and the kind of support that one person needs is different to what other people need. For example some people with mental health problems like going to a day centre for activities, I would prefer going to mainstream college or university, but I need support to do so.
If I had more money I would spend it on support for my partner who is my carer and has mental health problems of his own, although these would not be seen as critical as mine. I would pay for my gym sessions. I would have a cleaner two hours a week to help me with housework/ironing etc. I would also like to have money for weekends away or day trips although I understand about limited money pots and would see this as a bit of a luxury. I would also like money to pay for university fees to continue my education.
John’s Story
During a keyworking session, it was identified that a short holiday would improve my quality of life. My keyworker suggested I speak to my Care Co-ordinator about a one-off direct payment. My Care Coordinator then got the forms and filled them out with an accompanying letter. In the letter she explained what the positive benefits of a short break would be. We had to break down the costs, which included two nights in a bed and breakfast, travel and a budget for activities such as bowling and tickets to a show. My Care Co-ordinator then had to get her manager to sign the form before it could be sent to a panel. I received agreement within a month for the initial outlay of the holiday and the money was paid directly into my bank account.
This was a great opportunity for me. I wouldn’t have been able to afford it without a direct payment. The process was relatively easy, with the support of my Care Coordinator and Keyworker.
If I had another direct payment I might try to learn to ride a horse. I have to rely on buses and can't get to the stables easily and taxi's are expensive.
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