How do you you actually get Direct Payments

[2006hildy]

How do you you actually get Direct Payments is there an idiots guide to getting them.
The government doesn't broadcast what you are entitled to.

DD diagnosed ASD.

We want funding for a 1:1 Carer who can stay with him for afterschool clubs and Beavers . They will not accept him without.

From Hertfordshire they told us we did not qualify?

He has not started Beavers yet but that is what the school clubs said so I assumed it would be the same.

I've heard of Family Fund and Merlins Magic Wand but are there any others out there that you have heard of/had success with?

Grants are all new to us at the moment.

Money tight because I have to be a Carer. I lost my career when I had my disabled child, cannot have a normal 9-5 job. I love him dearly. We do not live the life of luxury.

Information from so called professionals is often lacking eg Family Support Worker - useless and didn't turn up to our TAC meeting when she said she would.

I could go on. If you can help us with any of the above issues please contact me.

Yours struggling,

good luck

We get 3 hours a week DPs for DS2. He has ASD and moderate LDs but is quite 'high functioning' (part special schooled part mainstream)..it can be done. But we had to be quite persistant..

I have contacted the Council and requested a Social Work Assessment to access any help but the Aiming High Fund should be able to help with providing assistance for attending clubs etc.

How do you access the Aiming High Fund is that through SW too in Hertfordshire?

I don?t find the CAB useful when it comes to Autism it?s so specific.

Keep all the advice coming it's all good stuff.

Well finally got to speak to a social worker this morning - she is going to speak to her manager to 'find out what is happening' and call me back this afternoon. Will give them til 3 pm and then call again... taking off MN SN Section battle uniform now to have a cup of coffee !

We self referred to the sw dept. Phone & ask for the duty sw & say you want to refer yourself. When the sw phoned she asked why we wanted a sw (?!) Eh, excuse me, cos we've got a kid with autism (you lazy cow).
Anyway when we got her to the house we soon put her right. Demanded the appropriate assessments for our child & for US as carers. REMINDED her how much pressure we were under & struggling to cope.
So we get direct payments now.
But if you don't put up a fight they will just fob you off.

hildy

'Keep all the advice coming it's all good stuff.'

You've posted this kind of thing a few times when requesting help. It doesn't help people want to help you to be honest. It makes you look like a taker rather than a giver on his board.

You can reword to 'Thank you so much for the help everyone. Does anyone else have any suggestions or ideas?'

That's a bit warmer.

FWIW Herts were bastards to me and threatened CP if things were really that bad and told me that DLA was for anything I might need.

Willow you should go to your local councillor & complain. We had to. It's the only way to get sw dept to pay attention!
OP, contact your comm OT dept for help with adaptations to your home. We got a handrail at our inside stairs & one at the steps at our back door.

Ah, DLA, aka The Stretchy Benefit. Makes me so mad. I'd like to see them if they had to give up their career to become a full time carer.
It's bloody finite! It can't cover everything! Chancing bastards.

Willow! Contact your councillor today!

Starlight so sorry I might have a bit of the ASD in me too. I have been told I am very direct and literal.

Thank-you everyone. I am grateful and do appreciate it.

SW has not rung me back so I will ring after all advice been given.

hoping you get that call back willow and they tell you something positive.

I'm sure if the decision was made a few months ago, that you should have an accumulation of payments which are due to you too....I'd be asking about this too....maybe ask for a copy of the decision first, then check the date of the panel decision and then kick up a stink about lost payments, etc...gather all your ammunition first, so to speak!

Hi, I have found out you do have to be referred but the HT and The School Family Worker are going to. Both hadn't even heard of it nor understood it or how it worked, that's why it didn't come up at the CAF. Whoohoo somebody has recognised I need help and struggling.

I also heard on the House Of Commons debate on Autism shown on Tuesday 4.30pm only 1 in 5 people get a SW assessment even though they are entitled to one. So I am going for it.

So my next question is what are the eligibility criteria? Cos last time they approached it from a Child Protection point of view (dumb f). They looked at DS's bedding, cleanliness, food in cupboard etc. and of course we didn't get it. I'm not like that.

I'm just unravelling in other ways like paying insurance by direct debit on a car I don't even own anymore, hoarding problem, go to the dentist with DS sitting on my lap! ect. I could really do with holiday help and babysitting ect.

Thank you so much for the help everyone. Does anyone else have any suggestions or ideas?

As far as I can tell SW assessment comes in two parts one for the Carer and one for the child and somehow the referral gets put to the Children with Disabilities team in social care.

So my next question is what are the eligibility criteria?

I have been awarded DPs for 5 hrs a week for DS (age 3, ASD). It took a while to organise but was not difficult. I contacted the Disabled Childrens team at SS and told them I wanted some DPs, they send a SW around for about an houran and after that and a few phone discussions they told me the panel had awarded the DPs. I have not seen any money yet mind you, but this was only finalised a week ago so hopefully soon!