Payments and rates
The amount we will pay towards your direct payment will be based on the outcome of your adult social care assessment or carer’s assessment.
Direct payment rates
We use these rates to calculate the direct payments we give you to spend on your care and support.
If your chosen agency or personal assistant charges more than this rate, you will be responsible for paying the difference. This is called a top-up.
The rates specified below are a guide. They are subject to change.
Agency rates
| Rate | Payment amount |
|---|---|
| Hourly rate | £21.43 per hour |
| 45 min. rate | £17.26 per 45 minutes |
| Half hour rate | £13.04 per 30 minutes |
| Sleep-in care hourly rate | £16.87 per hour |
| Sleep-in care 45 min. rate | £12.66 per 45 minutes |
| Sleep-in care half hour rate | £8.43 per half hour |
| Live-in care weekly rate | £1,499.87 per week |
| Day care rate (inclusive of transport) | £46.50 per day |
Personal assistant (PA) rates (including self-employed PA)
We pay you the payment amount shown below for you to employ a private PA who can be paid up to the PA rate shown. The remainder will cover all other costs associated with employing a PA including payroll, sick pay, holiday pay, pension and renewal of insurance.
| Rate | Payment amount | PA rate | Remainder |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hourly rate | £21.43 per hour | £16.68 per hour | £4.75 per hour |
| 45 min. rate | £17.26 per 45 minutes | £13.44 per 45 minutes | £3.82 per 45 minutes |
| Half hour rate | £13.04 per 30 minutes | £10.15 per half hour | £2.89 per half hour |
| Sleep-in care hourly rate | £16.87 per hour | £14.56 per hour | £2.31 per hour |
| Sleep-in care 45 min. rate | £12.66 per 45 minutes | £10.93 per 45 minutes | £1.73 per 45 minutes |
| Sleep-in care half hour rate | £8.43 per half hour | £7.28 per half hour | £1.15 per half hour |
| Live-in care weekly rate | £1499.87 per week | £1167.32 per week | £332.55 per week |
| Live-in care day rate | £214.26 per day | £166.76 per day | £47.50 per day |
Standard maximum rates that London Borough of Merton pays you for (if applicable)
| First year employer’s liability insurance | £99.00 |
| First payroll cost up to | £12.50 |
| Merton Managed Account | £231.80 per year |
| DBS Check (Enhanced) | £56.00 (includes £12 processing fee) |
Please note that if you are employing a PA, it is your responsibility to ensure that you pay your employees at least the National Living Wage for those aged 23 and over or the National Minimum Wage for those aged 22 and under.
National Minimum Wage and National Living Wage rates (GOV.UK)
Contact us
If you have any further questions please contact our Direct Payments Team.
Email: Directpaymentsduty@merton.gov.uk
Telephone: 020 8545 341