Personal budgets & direct payments

We can set up a prepaid card account for you. The account will be in your name and provided by allpay. Your account will have a prepaid (debit) card linked to it (like you would get from your bank).

allpay account benefits

With an allpay account you can:

• make secure payments for your care, without the worry that you will go overdrawn as spending is limited to the amount in your account
• check your balance, access recent transactions and set up standing orders or transfers at any time - either online or via telephone banking
• make cash withdrawals at an ATM (with prior agreement from us)
• pay your own contribution in from your own bank account via standing order or faster payments
• receive notifications and alerts to help you manage your account

Also:

• you won’t need to provide us with as much information when we audit your account - as we’ll be able to access reports in your direct payment account
• you don’t need a secondary account holder with allpay (unless you want one).

What we need to set up an allpay account

To set up your prepaid account, we’d need to check your identity to make sure your address and National Insurance number are correct. You will not need a credit check. You’ll receive your card within 5 working days of the identity check being completed.

Your direct payment can be paid into a bank account, such as a standard current account. This will need to be set up differently depending on who is managing your personal budget.

Budget managed by you

This account must be:

• separate from your own personal bank account
• a joint account - set up in your name and the name of someone (not an employee) who can help to manage your account if you are unable to. For example, they could pay your staff if you were in hospital
• used only to manage your care and support costs.

Budget managed by a relative or someone else

This account must be:

• a separate bank account - not a personal one
• a joint account - set up in the name of the person managing your budget and 1 other person, such as their husband, brother or sister
• used only to manage your care and support costs.

When you spend your direct payment you must make sure that you meet all the needs that are in your care and support plan.

If it's in your plan, you could spend it on:

• a personal assistant
• support from a care agency
• respite care at home
• a short break in a care home
• transport.

You cannot spend it on:

• living costs, such as food, gas, electricity, water bills, council tax, rent
• household repairs
• general furniture and household electrical items
• alcohol or tobacco products
• gambling
• debt repayment
• funeral expenses
• goods or services that are the responsibility of the NHS
• anything that has not been agreed in your care and support plan.

As you are managing your own budget, our direct payment support service will give you advice on how to set up and manage your records.

Make sure you keep all evidence of what you spend in a safe place. This might be:

• receipts
• invoices
• copies of staff wage slips and time sheets.

You’ll need to provide this information to us at regular intervals for us to review and make sure you are using your budget on the things detailed in your care and support plan.

Please note: we will ask to reclaim any unspent funds, or any money that has been spent on things that are not detailed in your care and support plan.