How Can I Get a Direct Payment?

How can I get a Direct Payment?
Listen You can ask for a Direct Payment if your Social Services Department agrees you have support needs.

Some Social Services are not giving Direct Payments yet, but they cannot just say they do not give Direct Payments. And they cannot say they do not give Direct Payments to people with learning disabilities.
They must think about each person who asks for a Direct Payment as an individual. If you already use services (like Shirley or Mark) ask your social worker, care worker or care manager about Direct Payments. Say you want a Direct Payment.
You do not need a full Community Care assessment for this. It should be possible under a review.
If you don't use services (like Stephen) ask for a Community Care assessment and say you want a Direct Payment. This assessment will tell you if you can get support.
	Think about the things you need support with before you have your assessment, or review. It will help you ask for what you want. See the ideas in the next section. The care manager has to decide, with you, what your support needs are. He or she will then decide, with you, if a Direct Payment can meet your needs.
You do not have to have a Direct Payment if you do not want one. You can always change your mind at any time and go back to a service arranged for you. You can have help to manage the support you choose. You can have help to manage the money. You just need to show that you are in control of decisions about how the money is spent.

How can I get a Direct Payment?