Skip to main content

Direct Payments & PHB Support

Watch this page in British Sign Language

What are Personal Budgets and Direct Payments?

If you have health or social care needs you may get money from either your local council, or from the NHS, or in some cases both.

When it comes from your local Council it’s called a Personal Budget.

When it comes from the NHS it’s called a Personal Health Budget.

In both cases it’s the amount of money you’ll get to meet your care needs, based on an assessment.

A Direct Payment is one way you can get the money from your Personal Budget or Personal Health Budget.

The two types of budget

Where the money comes from changes how you can manage it.

Personal Budgets from your Local Council

If you have a Personal Budget from the council you’ll usually get this as a Direct Payment. Getting a Direct Payment gives you more choice and control in how your care is delivered, who helps, and when.

You can ask the Council to pay your Direct Payment to a supported bank account (Bolton Council), or to a separate bank account in your own name, or to someone you’ve asked to help you manage the payments.

Personal Health Budgets from the NHS

If you have a Personal Health Budget (PHB) there are different options for how to manage it. You can ask the NHS to:

  • Manage it for you (a notional budget, only available if you use an agency)
  • Pay it to an organisation that manages the budget on your behalf (a Third Party Budget)
  • Pay it directly to you, or someone you’ve chosen to help, or via a supported bank account (a Direct Payment)

How we can help

Our friendly and experienced team can support you with everything to do with your Direct Payment or Personal Health Budget.

Advice and information

On every aspect of directing your own care.

Support planning

We help you build a clear plan that meets your needs.

Managing your budget

Choose how to receive and manage the money.

Recruiting PAs

Help finding and employing your own Personal Assistants, or arranging care via an agency.

Being a good employer

Employing your staff legally, including DBS checks for your PAs.

Spending your budget

Working out how to use the money so your care needs are properly met.

Is this service for you?

Our service is for you if you:

  • Have been referred to us by Bolton Council for Direct Payment support
  • Manage your own care in Cheshire West and Chester (or are eligible but pay for it yourself)
  • Have a Personal Health Budget in Warrington, the Wirral, or Manchester Central
  • Manage your own care in Lancashire (or are eligible but pay for it yourself)

Found your area? Click the area below to get in touch and access the right form for you.

Find your area

Bolton

Referrals from Bolton Council for Direct Payment support. Your referral will be acknowledged within 2 working days by a team member.

Make a referral online

This form must be completed in FULL. As agreed with Bolton Council. Disability Positive will reject the referral if all information is not provided.

Client Details

Name must be as it appears on a legal document such as passport, birth certificate or driving license.

Specify any known risks including reason why a face-to-face or joint visit is essential (if applicable)

Who to contact in the first instance, if not the client

Details of the Person making the referral

We'll send a receipt here, and reply here if we have questions.

Client Group to fund support (PD, LD, MH, ELD, CHILD) (required)

Please confirm below which option for support is being requested

Nature of referral (required)

Tick all that apply.

Is a new support plan required?

For either of the Direct Payments set up options.

Budget Information

How is the delivered (PA or Agency)? (required)
Is double-handed care required at any time? (required)

This must have been completed in the last 12 months.

(This is the outcome of the Financial Assessment) Financial Assessment must have been completed prior to referral.

Is the person currently in receipt of services? (required)
Has a copy of the assessment been included with this referral? (required)

If you answered Yes, attach it here. PDF, Word document or photo (JPG or PNG), up to 10MB.

Has a copy of the support plan been included with this referral? (required)

If you answered Yes, attach it here. PDF, Word document or photo (JPG or PNG), up to 10MB.

Has the person been made aware of the referral to Disability Positive? (required)

Submit referral

  • Please check that the name and contact details are correct
  • Please include a copy of the My Needs Assessment if a new Direct Payment and a new support plan is required.
  • Please include a copy of the Support Plan if Direct Payment support is required.
  • Please ensure that the financial assessment has been completed

Your referral will be acknowledged within 2 working days by a team member.

For more details you can contact Disability Positive on 0330 164 1040.

Prefer to use the Word form? Download it and email it to us.

Cheshire
Make a referral online

Please complete this form if you identify an individual who is eligible for a service from the Local Authority or Integrated Care Board (ICB), or who would like further information/support. It is important that you complete the form with as much information as possible for us to be able to provide them with the appropriate support and guidance.

Please note referrals will not be progressed unless all appropriate information in the form is completed.

NHS Fast Track (required)

1. Client Details

(e.g. interpreter required, pictorial)

Does the person have capacity to make decisions about their care and support? (required)

If No, please complete the Suitable Person section at the end of this form.

2. Referrer Details

A named Social Worker or ICN is preferable please note that if the referral is from the Duty Team, then all correspondence will be sent to the Duty Team unless advised otherwise.

We'll confirm we have the referral, and reply here.

3. Support Plan

Referral Type (required)

Tick all that apply.

If you ticked Other, please say what.

(i.e. reduce social isolation, preventing carer breakdown etc)

(i.e. What can the funding be used for?)

Support required (required)

Tick all that apply.

If you ticked Other, please say what.

Is specialised support required e.g. peg feeding, Ventilation, Tracheostomy SALT support, aerosol procedures? (required)

If Yes.

Any environmental risks to be considered when contacting or visiting clients, e.g. pets, smokers, accessing the home, history of violence. (required)

If Yes.

Is a joint visit required? (required)

(With ICN, social worker, two advisors)

If Yes.

4. Supporting Documents

If applicable, please indicate which documents have been attached for use in arranging appropriate support:

Documents attached

If you ticked Other, please say what.

PDF, Word document or photo (JPG or PNG), up to 10MB.

PDF, Word document or photo (JPG or PNG), up to 10MB.

PDF, Word document or photo (JPG or PNG), up to 10MB.

5. Finance

Please indicate how the support requested will be funded. In cases where Social Care funding is involved, a minimum of an online financial assessment is required to progress referral.

Funding Source (required)

If self-funding, you can skip the rest of this section.

If joint funded.

If Social Care funded.

Has the client been requested to complete the Online Financial Assessment?**

If Social Care funded.

If Social Care funded. Amount in £.

If Social Care funded.

If CHC funded. Amount in £.

**Disability Positive can only support once an Online Financial Assessment or Full Financial Assessment by Client Finance is completed.

If client has been requested to complete the OFA, the advisor will ask for this upon initial contact. If not available, the case will be put on hold until the figure can be provided.

6. Consent

Read our privacy notice at disabilitypositive.org/privacy-policy/

Suitable Person Authorisation

Only needed if the person lacks capacity, or would like to nominate someone to act for them.

The Arrangement of Care and Support Service promotes choice, control and independence. We work with you and your family to assist with the planning and arrangements of your care or support package.

Suitable person
Power of Attorney

Third Party Consent

In order to help you, we need to store information about you. As some of this information is deemed sensitive (e. g. information about your health) under the Data Protection Act 1998 and the General Data Protection Regulations 2018, we require your consent to process this information.

Ticking this box acts as the third party's signature.

Questions? Call 0333 366 0107 or email triage@disabilitypositive.org.

Prefer to use the Word form? Download it and email it to us.

Lancashire
Warrington
Make a referral online

Please complete this form if you identify an individual who is eligible for a service from the Local Authority or Integrated Care Board (ICB), or who would like further information/support. It is important that you complete the form with as much information as possible for us to be able to provide them with the appropriate support and guidance.

Please note referrals will not be progressed unless all appropriate information in the form is completed.

NHS Fast Track (required)

1. Client Details

(e.g. interpreter required, pictorial)

Does the person have capacity to make decisions about their care and support? (required)

If No, please complete the Suitable Person section at the end of this form.

2. Referrer Details

A named Social Worker or ICN is preferable please note that if the referral is from the Duty Team, then all correspondence will be sent to the Duty Team unless advised otherwise.

We'll confirm we have the referral, and reply here.

3. Support Plan

Referral Type (required)

Tick all that apply.

If you ticked Other, please say what.

(i.e. reduce social isolation, preventing carer breakdown etc)

(i.e. What can the funding be used for?)

Support required (required)

Tick all that apply.

If you ticked Other, please say what.

Is specialised support required e.g. peg feeding, Ventilation, Tracheostomy SALT support, aerosol procedures? (required)

If Yes.

Any environmental risks to be considered when contacting or visiting clients, e.g. pets, smokers, accessing the home, history of violence. (required)

If Yes.

Is a joint visit required? (required)

(With ICN, social worker, two advisors)

If Yes.

4. Supporting Documents

If applicable, please indicate which documents have been attached for use in arranging appropriate support:

Documents attached

If you ticked Other, please say what.

PDF, Word document or photo (JPG or PNG), up to 10MB.

PDF, Word document or photo (JPG or PNG), up to 10MB.

PDF, Word document or photo (JPG or PNG), up to 10MB.

5. Finance

Please indicate how the support requested will be funded. In cases where Social Care funding is involved, a minimum of an online financial assessment is required to progress referral.

Funding Source (required)

If self-funding, you can skip the rest of this section.

If joint funded.

If Social Care funded.

Has the client been requested to complete the Online Financial Assessment?**

If Social Care funded.

If Social Care funded. Amount in £.

If Social Care funded.

If CHC funded. Amount in £.

**Disability Positive can only support once an Online Financial Assessment or Full Financial Assessment by Client Finance is completed.

If client has been requested to complete the OFA, the advisor will ask for this upon initial contact. If not available, the case will be put on hold until the figure can be provided.

6. Consent

Read our privacy notice at disabilitypositive.org/privacy-policy/

Suitable Person Authorisation

Only needed if the person lacks capacity, or would like to nominate someone to act for them.

The Arrangement of Care and Support Service promotes choice, control and independence. We work with you and your family to assist with the planning and arrangements of your care or support package.

Suitable person
Power of Attorney

Third Party Consent

In order to help you, we need to store information about you. As some of this information is deemed sensitive (e. g. information about your health) under the Data Protection Act 1998 and the General Data Protection Regulations 2018, we require your consent to process this information.

Ticking this box acts as the third party's signature.

Questions? Call 0333 366 0107 or email triage@disabilitypositive.org.

Prefer to use the Word form? Download it and email it to us.

Wirral
Make a referral online

Please complete this form if you identify an individual who is eligible for a service from the Local Authority or Integrated Care Board (ICB), or who would like further information/support. It is important that you complete the form with as much information as possible for us to be able to provide them with the appropriate support and guidance.

Please note referrals will not be progressed unless all appropriate information in the form is completed.

NHS Fast Track (required)

1. Client Details

(e.g. interpreter required, pictorial)

Does the person have capacity to make decisions about their care and support? (required)

If No, please complete the Suitable Person section at the end of this form.

2. Referrer Details

A named Social Worker or ICN is preferable please note that if the referral is from the Duty Team, then all correspondence will be sent to the Duty Team unless advised otherwise.

We'll confirm we have the referral, and reply here.

3. Support Plan

Referral Type (required)

Tick all that apply.

If you ticked Other, please say what.

(i.e. reduce social isolation, preventing carer breakdown etc)

(i.e. What can the funding be used for?)

Support required (required)

Tick all that apply.

If you ticked Other, please say what.

Is specialised support required e.g. peg feeding, Ventilation, Tracheostomy SALT support, aerosol procedures? (required)

If Yes.

Any environmental risks to be considered when contacting or visiting clients, e.g. pets, smokers, accessing the home, history of violence. (required)

If Yes.

Is a joint visit required? (required)

(With ICN, social worker, two advisors)

If Yes.

4. Supporting Documents

If applicable, please indicate which documents have been attached for use in arranging appropriate support:

Documents attached

If you ticked Other, please say what.

PDF, Word document or photo (JPG or PNG), up to 10MB.

PDF, Word document or photo (JPG or PNG), up to 10MB.

PDF, Word document or photo (JPG or PNG), up to 10MB.

5. Finance

Please indicate how the support requested will be funded. In cases where Social Care funding is involved, a minimum of an online financial assessment is required to progress referral.

Funding Source (required)

If self-funding, you can skip the rest of this section.

If joint funded.

If Social Care funded.

Has the client been requested to complete the Online Financial Assessment?**

If Social Care funded.

If Social Care funded. Amount in £.

If Social Care funded.

If CHC funded. Amount in £.

**Disability Positive can only support once an Online Financial Assessment or Full Financial Assessment by Client Finance is completed.

If client has been requested to complete the OFA, the advisor will ask for this upon initial contact. If not available, the case will be put on hold until the figure can be provided.

6. Consent

Read our privacy notice at disabilitypositive.org/privacy-policy/

Suitable Person Authorisation

Only needed if the person lacks capacity, or would like to nominate someone to act for them.

The Arrangement of Care and Support Service promotes choice, control and independence. We work with you and your family to assist with the planning and arrangements of your care or support package.

Suitable person
Power of Attorney

Third Party Consent

In order to help you, we need to store information about you. As some of this information is deemed sensitive (e. g. information about your health) under the Data Protection Act 1998 and the General Data Protection Regulations 2018, we require your consent to process this information.

Ticking this box acts as the third party's signature.

Questions? Call 0333 366 0107 or email triage@disabilitypositive.org.

Prefer to use the Word form? Download it and email it to us.

Manchester Central
Make a referral online

Please complete this form if you identify an individual who is eligible for a service from the Local Authority or Integrated Care Board (ICB), or who would like further information/support. It is important that you complete the form with as much information as possible for us to be able to provide them with the appropriate support and guidance.

Please note referrals will not be progressed unless all appropriate information in the form is completed.

NHS Fast Track (required)

1. Client Details

(e.g. interpreter required, pictorial)

Does the person have capacity to make decisions about their care and support? (required)

If No, please complete the Suitable Person section at the end of this form.

2. Referrer Details

A named Social Worker or ICN is preferable please note that if the referral is from the Duty Team, then all correspondence will be sent to the Duty Team unless advised otherwise.

We'll confirm we have the referral, and reply here.

3. Support Plan

Referral Type (required)

Tick all that apply.

If you ticked Other, please say what.

(i.e. reduce social isolation, preventing carer breakdown etc)

(i.e. What can the funding be used for?)

Support required (required)

Tick all that apply.

If you ticked Other, please say what.

Is specialised support required e.g. peg feeding, Ventilation, Tracheostomy SALT support, aerosol procedures? (required)

If Yes.

Any environmental risks to be considered when contacting or visiting clients, e.g. pets, smokers, accessing the home, history of violence. (required)

If Yes.

Is a joint visit required? (required)

(With ICN, social worker, two advisors)

If Yes.

4. Supporting Documents

If applicable, please indicate which documents have been attached for use in arranging appropriate support:

Documents attached

If you ticked Other, please say what.

PDF, Word document or photo (JPG or PNG), up to 10MB.

PDF, Word document or photo (JPG or PNG), up to 10MB.

PDF, Word document or photo (JPG or PNG), up to 10MB.

5. Finance

Please indicate how the support requested will be funded. In cases where Social Care funding is involved, a minimum of an online financial assessment is required to progress referral.

Funding Source (required)

If self-funding, you can skip the rest of this section.

If joint funded.

If Social Care funded.

Has the client been requested to complete the Online Financial Assessment?**

If Social Care funded.

If Social Care funded. Amount in £.

If Social Care funded.

If CHC funded. Amount in £.

**Disability Positive can only support once an Online Financial Assessment or Full Financial Assessment by Client Finance is completed.

If client has been requested to complete the OFA, the advisor will ask for this upon initial contact. If not available, the case will be put on hold until the figure can be provided.

6. Consent

Read our privacy notice at disabilitypositive.org/privacy-policy/

Suitable Person Authorisation

Only needed if the person lacks capacity, or would like to nominate someone to act for them.

The Arrangement of Care and Support Service promotes choice, control and independence. We work with you and your family to assist with the planning and arrangements of your care or support package.

Suitable person
Power of Attorney

Third Party Consent

In order to help you, we need to store information about you. As some of this information is deemed sensitive (e. g. information about your health) under the Data Protection Act 1998 and the General Data Protection Regulations 2018, we require your consent to process this information.

Ticking this box acts as the third party's signature.

Questions? Call 0333 366 0107 or email triage@disabilitypositive.org.

Prefer to use the Word form? Download it and email it to us.

Want answers to common questions?

Our Direct Payment FAQs cover the things people ask us most often about running their care, employing PAs, and managing their budget.

Read our FAQs

Visit our self-service FAQ portal for answers to common questions about Direct Payments and Personal Health Budgets.

Still stuck?

Give us a call on 01606 331 853 or contact us online and we'll help you work out the next step.

Need help with this service?

Get in touch with our team. We're here to support you.

Contact Us Support Our Work