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Direct Payments for people
with learning difficulties
Social Services can now give money to disabled people to buy their own services and support. This money is called a Direct Payment. Andrew Holman and Jean Collins found out what Direct Payments can mean for people with learning difficulties.
picture of things you can do with money: swimming, pay for a place to live.

Direct Payments can give people with learning difficulties more independence and choice about how to live their lives.

A few people with learning difficulties already get Direct Payments to buy the services and support they want. Many of these people get hlep to use their money from a support group, or special scheme.

Most other people with learning difficulties do not know about Direct Payments.
A lot of people with learning difficulties want to know more about Direct Payments so that they can buy their own services and support.