Direct payments

Direct payments are local council payments for people who have been assessed as needing help from social services, and who would like to arrange and pay for their own care and support services instead of receiving them directly from the local council.

Everyone will be offered this option after a social services assessment, and for those people who choose direct payments it will give them greater choice and control over the support they receive.

image: lady receiving support from a personal assistant Receiving direct payments
Find out who is eligible to receive a direct payment.

image: direct payments factsheet Guidance and factsheets
Access our collection of factsheets and documents about direct payments.

image: a person holding the kent card The Kent Card
The Kent Card is a new, secure and convenient way of receiving your direct payments for community support and assistance. It is an easy way to pay for your support.

image: direct payments films Videos about direct payments and the Kent card
Watch one of our videos about direct payments and the Kent Card to find out how you can get more choice in the support you receive.