Direct Payments

Need more information or help?

There are lots of organisations that can help you:

Advice Service from Capability Scotland - information and advice about direct payments.
Tel: 0131 313 5510

Direct Payments Scotland - information about direct payments.
Tel: 0131 558 3450

Lothian Centre for Integrated Living - practical help to set up and use a direct payment.
Tel: 0131 475 2350

People First Scotland - a self-advocacy group (for people living in Edinburgh only). People with the label of a learning disability come together and support each other to speak up for themselves.
Tel: 0131 478 7708

FAIR - an information service for people with a learning disability living in Edinburgh.
Tel: 0131 662 1962

Partners in Advocacy - pairs people with a learning disability with another person. This person helps them to speak up for themselves or speaks up on their behalf. This service is available to people living in Edinburgh.
Tel: 0131 476 7730

Powerful Partnerships - pairs people with a learning disability with another person. This person helps them to speak up for themselves or speaks up on their behalf. This service is available to people living in greater Corstorphine or North- West Edinburgh. Short- term advocacy is available to anyone living in Edinburgh.
Tel: 0131 478 5501

What is a Direct Payment?

A Direct Payment is money, given to you by social work so that you can buy the support services that you need.

Social Work will give you this payment instead of arranging that support for you. This will give you more choice about the type of support or service you receive.

A Direct Payment is not a benefit and will not affect your benefits.

Why Get a Direct Payment?

Getting a Direct Payment can give you more choice and control. You can choose who comes to give you support and when. Support can be centred around you and your interests.

Some Local Authorities may want to change your service provider through a process called tendering. Getting a Direct Payment will help you to stay with your current provider.

Who can get a Direct Payment?

Disabled people who are 16 years old or above can get a Direct Payment. This includes people with a learning disability.

Parents of a disabled child can get a Direct Payment to buy the support that their child needs.

Representatives of disabled people, who are unable to show that they would like a Direct Payment, can get them and manage them on behalf of the disabled person.

How can you get a Direct Payment?

First, you need a Social Work assessment that says you need support or services. Then you need to ask Social Work for a Direct Payment instead.

If you already have an assessment or a service organised by Social Work, you need to phone the Social Work Department and tell them that you are interested in Direct Payments.

If you have never had an assessment from Social Work but feel that you need some support, then phone your local Social Work office. Let them know that you want an assessment of your needs and that you are interested in Direct Payments.

If you are already getting support from The Action Group, we might be able to help in getting your needs assessed and speaking to Social Work.

What Can I do with a Direct Payment from TAG?

You could get a Direct Payment instead of going to a day centre. You might then use your Direct Payment to pay for someone to support you to go on a course that you are interested in or take up a sport that you like.

You may choose to get a Direct Payment instead of going to residential respite care. You could use your Direct Payment to pay for a holiday to somewhere of your choice, and for someone to support you while you are on that holiday.

You might want to use a Direct Payment to get help to find employment.

You could also use a Direct Payment to get help to look after your home.

You could use a Direct Payment to go out and do social activities

You could use a Direct Payment to get practical help with things like washing, bathing, and personal care.

Places to go for Help

If you would like to learn more about a Direct Payment through The Action Group, you can telephone our office on 0131 475 2315 and ask to speak to Helen Walton ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ), the Development Manager who is in charge of Direct Payments. You can also find out more information about Direct Payments in Scotland by following the links below:

How can I access a service from The Action Group?

Information to follow.