Direct payments

If you receive your direct payment into a bank account, you will need to send us copies of your bank statements and any other documents relating to how you have spent your direct payment. We will review these documents to ensure that your direct payment is being spent appropriately.

If you receive your direct payment via a prepayment card then we are able to access your prepayment card account to review how the direct payment is being spent. We may still contact you to ask you to send in additional documents.

How often is my direct payment account audited?

Your direct payment account will be audited within six months of you first receiving the direct payment and then at least annually. The audit will check to see if you are spending your direct payment on services that are meeting your assessed care needs as set out in your care plan, and that you are paying your assessed contribution into your direct payment account, if applicable. Should there be any issues following the audit of your account, these will be communicated to you in writing.

We will also undertake an audit if:

• you have notified us that you no longer want or need a direct payment
• if you have been struggling with the management of your direct payment

Do I have to collect receipts for my direct payments?

As an employer we always recommend you obtain receipts for items and or care you have purchased as you may also have to show these to HMRC.

If you are unsure about collecting a receipt, then it is always best to do so as this will prevent potential problems in the future. If you have specific questions about what evidence you may have to provide at audit then you can contact our Client Finance Team or your social care worker may be able to advise you.