Direct payments

Once you know your personal budget following a needs assessment, to meet your eligible care and support needs. You can choose to have your personal budget as a Direct Payment instead of letting the local authority arrange services for you.

For further information on Direct Payments and financial information you can view the Lincolnshire County Council website and the Direct Payments Policy. You can also view the Adult Care Charging Policy which includes information on any charges and contributions towards the cost of your care.

A Direct Payment could be paid as a one-off sum or an ongoing payment (e.g. monthly for support costs). It is paid directly to you or your representative to give more flexibility over how your care and support is arranged and provided. This allows you to meet your assessed eligible needs and to achieve agreed outcomes.

You can choose to manage your Direct Payment in one of following ways:

Option 1 – Virtual Wallet

Virtual Wallet is a user-friendly, digital platform that enables you to manage your Direct Payments online. Removing the requirement to manage a pre-paid card and paper receipts, Virtual Wallet enables you to arrange, manage and pay for your care in a secure online environment, whilst having control of your support and funding. To learn more about Virtual Wallet, visit https://lincolnshire.connecttosupport.org/virtual-wallet/

Option 2 – Pre-paid card

A Prepaid card account can be set up for you by the Council for ongoing direct payments.

Option 3 - Own bank account

You can set up a new bank account to manage your Direct Payment from the Council.

Option 4 - Third Party Supported / Managed account

If you and your family members do not wish to manage the financial details of your care, our Direct Payment Support Service provider, Penderels Trust, can manage and organise this for you.

If you are not able to, or do not wish to manage your own finances, it is possible for another person to manage your Direct Payment on your behalf.

For further information about personal budgets, visit the Lincolnshire County Council website.