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Direct Payment Prepaid Cards 

Cheshire East Council has introduced an easy way to administer your Direct Payment.

Using a prepaid card will provide a more efficient and speedy process for getting your Direct Payment money to you. Any questions you may have should be answered below.  

What is a prepaid card

A prepaid card is like a debit card, although there is no credit or overdraft facility.  You can use the card anywhere the MasterCard logo is accepted.  

As the prepaid card comes with a sort code and unique account number you will be able to make payments in the same way you make payments into standard bank accounts.  

The introduction of the prepaid card enables Cheshire East Council to load your Direct Payment monies automatically.  

A prepaid card allows the Council instant access to your Direct Payment account to support regular audits meaning that you will not be required to supply bank account statements.  Instant access to your Direct Payment account means that the Council can monitor your Direct Payment and act quickly to support you with any issues.  

You will receive your PIN by following the instructions on the letter attached to your new card. You can change the PIN to something more memorable to you if you choose to do so, at an ATM machine. 

You can then choose to use your card in a variety of ways to purchase care and support services as outlined in your support plan, for example: 

  • Online banking
  • Direct Debits
  • Card payments 

If you have decided to have your personal budget paid as a direct payment, your adult social care professional will arrange for you to sign a direct payment agreement. They will then order a direct payment card for you which you should receive within 10 days of the request.

Your card is a prepaid card, which means that you can only spend available funds on the card. Your card will be declined if there are not enough funds on the card for the purchase you are attempting. If for any reason a transaction is processed that exceeds your available funds, we may block your card temporarily until the balance is repaid. 

If the balance on your prepaid card is too low and you are not able to pay for your care services then you should contact the Adult Social Care team on 0300 123 5010 for support.

The council will make their contribution to your Direct Payment every 4 weeks to the prepaid card, in advance of the care period.

If you have been assessed to make a financial contribution towards your Direct Payment then you will need to arrange for your contribution to be paid to the prepaid card every 4 weeks in advance of the care period.

If top-up payments are required then these can be paid to the prepaid card.  The usual method to do this is via standing order from your personal bank account to the prepaid card. 

As per the Council’s All Age Direct Payment policy cash transactions are not permitted. 

There are no charges for the service if you use the card in the UK – which means you can use your card as many times as you like. 

Yes. This system operates like any other bank account, you will be able to view recent transactions you have made and view your balance via the online portal.

As per the Council’s All Age Direct Payment policy, your Direct Payment can only be used to purchase care services agreed in your support plan. More information is available within the Council’s All Age Direct Payment policy.

The money we pay to you is public money which the Council has a duty to account for. We may review your account from time to time in between your review dates and request money is paid back if there is more than 4 weeks allowance remaining after any payments outstanding have been made. 

Contact Social Care Business Support and Finance during office hours, Monday - Friday on 0300 123 5102. Alternatively telephone EML 0203 307 8238 who are available 24/7.

Card Security

As with all cards you should not disclose your PIN to anyone else.

Your privacy 

EML provide the prepaid card service that Cheshire East Council offer. You can read EML’s privacy notice.  

EML will only use your personal data when the law allows them to. Most commonly, they will only use your personal data in the following circumstances: 

  • Where they need to perform the contract they have entered into - providing you a prepaid card. 
  • Where it is necessary for their legitimate interests (or those of a third party) and your interests and fundamental rights do not override those interests. For example – prior to issuing a prepaid card they are legally obliged to run a background check to confirm you do not have any legal sanctions against you, which would prevent them supplying you with financial services. 
  • Where EML need to comply with a legal or regulatory obligation. 
  • You will never receive any third-party direct marketing communications following the submission of your details to EML. 

You can read Cheshire East Council’s privacy notice. 

Page last reviewed: 23 January 2025

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