1,000 use care funding scheme

A county council-run scheme, which helps Staffordshire people with disabilities and their carers get the vital services they need has hit a milestone after being taken up by 1,000 residents.

New figures show that the number of people receiving direct payments has nearly tripled since July last year. More than 1,000 people are now receiving direct payments making it one of the fastest growing schemes in the country.

A direct payment is money given by the county council to people who have been assessed as needing help from social services. The money is given instead of the council arranging those services.

People who want direct payments like the increased flexibility, choice and control of arranging and paying for their own care and support services instead of receiving them directly from the authority.

The payments are made directly into the person's bank, building society, Post Office or National Savings account.

The money can then be used by the service users themselves to arrange the services required to meet the needs they have been assessed as having.

This might mean employing a personal assistant to or it may mean purchasing equipment or even joining classes or a gym.

A new leaflet explaining the direct payments scheme is now available. For a copy of it please telephone 01785 355990. Alternatively go to www.staffordshire.gov.uk/directpayments