Direct payment schedule and budgeting
Direct payment recipients will receive a fixed amount every four weeks. Across a year, individuals will receive thirteen equal payments.
Example contribution calculations
Example one (with a client contribution)
If a Direct Payment recipient’s budget is £5,200 annually but is also required to contribute (for example) £10 per week towards their support.
In this case, the total annual amount would be £5,200 minus the client contribution of £520 (52 weeks x £10). Therefore, the individual would receive £4,680 annually, which would be distributed as £360 every four weeks over thirteen payments.
Example two (without a client contribution)
If a Direct Payment recipient’s budget is £5,200 annually, they will receive £400 every four weeks, totalling thirteen payments throughout the year.
The payment in advance ensures that Direct Payment recipients have the budget they need to manage their care and support services effectively.
Direct payment pay periods 2026/2027
| Period | Week number | Period dates | Actual payment date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 to 4 | 30 March 26 to 26 April 26 | 27 March 26 |
| 2 | 5 to 8 | 27 April 26 to 24 May 26 | 24 April 26 |
| 3 | 9 to 12 | 25 May 26 to 21 June 26 | 22 May 26 |
| 4 | 13 to 16 | 22 June 26 to 19 July 26 | 19 June 26 |
| 5 | 17 to 20 | 20 July 26 to 16 August 26 | 17 July 26 |
| 6 | 21 to 24 | 17 August 26 to 13 September 26 | 14 August 26 |
| 7 | 25 to 28 | 14 September 26 to 11 October 26 | 11 September 26 |
| 8 | 29 to 32 | 12 October 26 to 8 November 26 | 9 October 26 |
| 9 | 33 to 36 | 9 November 26 to 6 December 26 | 6 November 26 |
| 10 | 37 to 40 | 7 December 26 to 3 January 27 | 4 December 26 |
| 11 | 41 to 44 | 4 January 27 to 31 January 27 | 1 January 27 |
| 12 | 45 to 48 | 1 February 27 to 28 February 27 | 29 January 27 |
| 13 | 49 to 52 | 1 March 27 to 28 March 27 | 26 February 27 |
For further information about direct payments, see the direct payments guidance.
If you have a query regarding payment of your direct payment, email: [email protected].
Ensure you quote your Person Record number so we can deal with your query efficiently. If you do not know your Person Record number, then quote the vendor number. You will see this printed on your remittance slip.
Further guidance and support
If you are unable to find the relevant support, get in touch with Adult's Health and Care: