Carers Direct Payments
Short-term support for unpaid carers in Bedford Borough and Central Bedfordshire
A Carers Direct Payment is funding provided to help unpaid carers take a break from their caring role and support their wellbeing.
Unlike a Direct Payment for the person you care for, which helps meet their long-term care and support needs, a Carers Direct Payment is based on your own needs as a carer following a Carer’s Assessment.
How does it work?
The process is similar across both Bedford Borough Council and Central Bedfordshire Council.
Have a Carer's Assessment
Your local authority will talk to you about your caring role and how it affects your daily life.
Find out if you're eligible
If you’re eligible for support, the council will discuss the options available.
Receive a Carers Direct Payment
If a Direct Payment is agreed, you’ll receive funding to arrange the approved support yourself.
Take a break from caring
Use the payment in line with your agreed support plan.
Looking for a Direct Payment for the person you care for?
If you’re looking for information about a Direct Payment for the person you care for, rather than a Carers Direct Payment, we have a separate guide explaining how cared-for Direct Payments work, including how they can be used to arrange care and support.
Choose your local authority
Use the payment in line with your agreed support plan.
Bedford Borough Council
Bedford Borough offers a Carers Support Direct Payment, which is designed to support you in your caring role and improve your wellbeing.
- More flexible use of the payment
- Based on your Carer's Assessment
- Paid every four weeks
What can it be used for?
Bedford Borough allows flexibility where the spending has been agreed as part of your support plan. Examples include:
- Leisure activities
- Gardening or cleaning support
- Taxi journeys
- Other agreed support that helps you continue caring
Managing your payment
Bedford Borough has guidance on how payments are managed and monitored. Where the Carers Support payment is below certain thresholds, carers keep receipts rather than submitting them routinely
Central Bedfordshire Council
Central Bedfordshire focuses its Carers Direct Payment on helping carers take a planned break from caring after a Carer’s Assessment.
- Based on your Carer's Assessment
- Designed to provide breaks from caring
- You choose how to arrange the agreed support
Support can include:
- Sitting services
- Respite support
- Day services
- Shared Lives support
- Other agreed arrangements that give you a break
- Sitting Service
One of Central Bedfordshire’s options allows eligible carers to receive an agreed allocation of sitting-service hours each month through a Direct Payment. You can use shorter breaks each week or save the allocation for a longer break later in the month, arranging the support with your chosen provider.
How Blue Sky Carers Support can help
We can help you understand how Carers Direct Payments work in Bedford Borough and Central Bedfordshire, including:
- Understanding the assessment process
- Explaining what support is available
- Helping you understand your options
- Signposting you to the right local services
If you’re unsure which support is right for you, our team is here to help.
Important
Carers Direct Payments are provided by your local authority following a Carer’s Assessment. The amount you receive and what it can be used for depends on your individual circumstances and agreed support plan.