If an individual is assessed as being eligible for some funding from Cambridgeshire County Council toward the cost of their care, they can choose to take this funding as a cash payment. This is referred to as a Direct Payment.

Direct Payments are available to individuals who qualify for support from Cambridgeshire County Council and who are either:

• Aged 16 or over with a physical disability, learning disability, visual impairment, HIV/AIDS, mental health issues, or within the Autistic spectrum.
• People over 65.
• Parents/carers of disabled children (more information about Direct Payments for children in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough is available).

Cambridgeshire County Council will carry out an assessment to identify what the individual wishes to achieve. The Council will then collaborate with the individual to determine the most suitable ways to support their needs. This will be documented in a support plan. The Council will allocate a level of budget calculated to sufficiently meet the individual’s level of needs. This is referred to as a Personal Budget. The Personal Budget will consist of the amount the individual is financially assessed to be able to cover themselves, plus any contribution Cambridgeshire County Council may make.

An individual can take some or all of the Council’s contribution to their personal budget as a Direct Payment to organise services independently. If they are unable to do this, the Council can arrange services on their behalf.

To apply for Direct Payments, individuals should discuss their options with their Key Worker.

Request an Adult’s Social Care assessment

Telephone: 0345 045 5202
9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday

Complete an online request form for an Adult’s Social Care Assessment

Cambridgeshire County Council will ask individuals to complete a financial assessment. The Council will then calculate the likely cost of their assessed needs and determine how much funding can be provided. This is known as a personal budget.

Direct Payments must be used to meet the needs and goals outlined in the individual’s support plan. Spending must be lawful and cost-effective.

Direct Payments cannot be used for:

• Anything not agreed upon in the support plan.
• Paying a family member or partner living at the same address.
• Purchasing any local authority in-house services, including transport.
• Purchasing equipment or services provided by health services.
• Purchasing any housing service or residential care.

By law, Cambridgeshire County Council is permitted to request repayment of Direct Payments if they have been used inappropriately.

Direct Payments can be provided via a prepaid card, which functions similarly to a debit card. The prepaid card can be used to receive and spend Direct Payments, but it generally does not allow cash withdrawals. If the individual is required to make a contribution toward their care, this can also be easily paid onto the prepaid card.

Benefits of prepaid cards include:

• No need to set up a separate bank account for receiving Direct Payments.
• Eligibility for a prepaid card even without a bank account or with a poor credit history.
• 24/7 online account access.
• Reduced need for providing monitoring information, such as receipts or bank statements.
• Lower risk of fraud and reduced likelihood of repayment requests due to lost receipts.

Cambridgeshire County Council’s prepaid card provider is Allpay Limited. For assistance with setting up an online account or activating the card, individuals can contact Allpay at 0330 135 9515 or email enquiries@allpay.net

Individuals receiving Direct Payments can select any payroll service provider to meet their employer obligations with HMRC, ensuring personal assistants are paid accurately and on time.

Purple Direct Payment Support Service (Purple DPSS)

Cambridgeshire County Council has contracted Purple DPSS to provide comprehensive Direct Payments support services, ensuring individuals can effectively manage their care arrangements. The key benefits include:

• Financial Management & Record-Keeping: Ensuring compliance with financial monitoring requirements and maintaining accurate, up-to-date records.

• Simplified Banking: Assistance with effectively using banking facilities for smooth payment processes.

• Recruitment & Employment Support: Guidance through legal and practical aspects of hiring Personal Assistants (PAs), including setting up emergency procedures and backup plans.

• Compliance Ensuring adherence to legal requirements and providing ongoing support for complex employment-related matters.

Direct Payments can be used to employ personal assistants to provide care and support. Cambridgeshire County Council advises individuals to seek independent advice on using Direct Payments. Purple Direct Payment Support Service can assist with recruiting Personal Assistants and managing employment-related matters.

If individuals prefer to manage employment themselves, they are responsible for adhering to current employment laws and registering with HMRC as an employer. Failure to meet employer obligations may result in the termination of Direct Payments.

Direct Payments can be used to purchase support from independent providers, including home care, respite care, or day care services. The Council encourages individuals to use providers registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC).

Check if an independent provider is CQC registered: https://www.cqc.org.uk/

In some cases, an assessment may indicate the need for additional evaluation by an Occupational Therapist to identify equipment that can enhance independence. Direct Payments for such equipment are provided as a one-off payment.

Cambridgeshire County Council offer direct payments for children.  You can find out more about them, how they work and how to request them on the Childrens Direct Payments section of Cambridgeshire’s SEND information hub.

The Purple Managed Account invoicing service offers a streamlined solution for managing Direct Payment funds.

With our Invoice service, Purple takes charge of processing invoices and making payments directly to care providers, ensuring that all financial transactions are handled efficiently. This allows the service user to focus on care arrangements, simplifying the overall management experience.

While Purple oversees the financial aspects, the service user maintains control over key areas such as managing contracts with care providers and addressing any service-related issues. This empowers the service user to remain in charge of their care while we assist with payments and invoicing.

The service user will also receive detailed quarterly e-statements, enabling them to monitor their account’s activity. This transparency ensures a clear understanding of how their funds are being utilised.

This service is especially advantageous for those who wish to prioritise quality care without the complexities of daily financial management. By partnering with Purple, the service user can be confident that payments will be processed accurately and punctually.

Under our Payroll service, Purple is responsible for overseeing all financial aspects related to payroll, ensuring that payments to the service user’s Personal Assistants (PAs) are processed accurately and punctually based on submitted timesheets.

The service user retains control over essential aspects, such as managing contracts with their PAs and addressing any issues that may arise in their services. This ensures that the service user has the final say in the quality of care received while benefiting from the streamlined payroll management provided by Purple.

Purple will handle all calculations for wages, taxes, and National Insurance contributions with precision, giving the service user peace of mind.

The service user’s PAs will receive regular payslips, and the service user will receive quarterly e-statements that provide an overview of account activity.

This service is designed to simplify the payroll process.

With the Purple Process Only service, the service user remains in full control of the funds provided by the local authority, empowering them to manage their care budget with confidence. Purple’s payroll service simplifies the process for employed Personal Assistants (PAs).

Once timesheets are submitted, we handle all the calculations and provide the service user with clear payroll figures, allowing them to make payments directly to their PAs.

In addition, we send detailed payslips to the service user’s PAs, ensuring they have accurate records of their earnings. As the employer, the service user will be responsible for handling payments to HMRC for tax, National Insurance, and pension contributions, though Purple is here to advise and support.