You must have been assessed by Social Services and be eligible for Carer’s services.
If you are eligible for a service you can get a Carer’s Direct Payment if you:

• Are an unpaid Carer, over 18 years of age, who cares for someone on a regular and substantial basis.
• Are a young person aged 16/17 who provides a substantial amount of care for someone aged 18 or over.

The person you care for does not need to have Direct Payments or even be receiving a service from Social Services in order for you to have a Carer’s Direct Payment – although they must be ELIGIBLE to receive services if they were to be assessed.

The Carer’s Direct Payment is only available for carers of people over 18 years of age.
However:

• If you are a parent, or have Parental Responsibility for a disabled child under the age of 16 (or a disabled young person aged 16/17) you may be eligible to receive a Direct Payment to meet your child/young person’s assessed needs, instead of receiving services directly from the Council.