How does Direct Payment work? A guide on navigating this.

How to Apply for Direct Payments for Home Care in Newry & Mourne

Direct Payments give you or your loved one

the financial independence to choose exactly who provides your home care, rather than relying automatically on the care providers allocated by the local authority. Instead of the Southern Trust arranging the care visits directly, they pay the care funding into a dedicated bank account, allowing you to bring on M&M Direct Care LTD to take care and give peace of mind.

Here is the exact step-by-step process to secure Direct Payments in our region:

Step 1: Request a Health and Social Care Assessment

To qualify for any funding, the Southern Trust must first establish that care is required.

• If you don’t have care yet: Contact the Southern Trust’s central access team or your GP and ask for a "Community Care Assessment."

• If you already have a Trust package: Contact your allocated Southern Trust Social Worker or Key Worker and tell them explicitly: "I want to explore Self-Directed Support (SDS) via Direct Payments."

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Step 2: Complete the Trust Care Assessment

A Social Worker will visit your relative's home to assess their physical, medical, and emotional needs. During this visit, they will calculate the number of "care hours" required per week to keep your loved one safe at home.

Step 3: State Your Preference for Option 1 (Direct Payments)

In Northern Ireland, Self-Directed Support is broken into different options. You must explicitly tell the Social Worker that you want Option 1: A Direct Payment. Explain that you plan to use this budget to secure fully regulated care continuity through an independent domiciliary agency like M&M Direct Care LTD.

Step 4: Set Up a Dedicated Bank Account

The Southern Trust cannot pay care money into a standard personal savings or everyday current account. You will need to open a separate, dedicated bank account solely used for receiving the Trust payments and paying your M&M Direct Care LTD invoices. This keeps the audit trail clean and simple.

Step 5: Agree to the Care Plan & Receive Funds

Once approved, the Trust will calculate a financial rate per hour and sign off on your care plan. The funds will be deposited regularly into your dedicated account, allowing you to seamlessly begin your unhurried, dignified care schedule with us.

Frequently Asked Questions About Direct Payments

• Can I switch from my current Trust care provider to M&M Direct Care LTD using Direct Payments?

  Yes. You have the legal right to request a switch to Direct Payments at any point during your care journey. Your Social Worker will help coordinate the transition so there is no gap in your care.

• Does a Direct Payment affect my state pension or benefits?

  No. Direct Payments are not counted as personal income. They are strictly a care-funding benefit and are completely tax-free.

• Is there help available to manage the paperwork?

  Yes. The Southern Trust works closely with independent support organizations (such as the Centre for Independent Living NI) to help families manage any administrative tracking or account setups completely free of charge.

M&M Direct Care LTD can take all of the stress away from this process. Simply get in touch today and we will support you from start to finish.