Direct Payments info please?

[Peachy]

hi

The PAed has suggested that we should be looking into Direct apyments, top get someone to take ds1 out and acclimatise him to supermarkets etc (and mayeb to take him to athletics as i cant with DH's owrk shifts).

I know nothing about these!

PAed says they come out of your DLA which means after Christmas as I ahve tied up all the money from DLA in different ds1 stuff until then; have just had a flyer from Councils aying though that theya re offering direct payments grants atm?

This is a completely new area to me, can't ask Paed again as we have been discharged (sigh- was hoing for referral to psych chap as agoraphobia an issue again), so any info appreciated.

thanks

X

they do not come out of your dla! does the man know noithing. The are seperate and are paid to you by social services.

have you got a SW?

No SW at rpesent as wont answer calls BUT Paed insisted we go back and speak to director of services until they can be arsd to reply! he did have an assessment abck along,, but they lost it (Grrrr)!

what are direct payments? thanks

no personal experience, some info here

www.everychildmatters.gov.uk/socialcare/disabledchildren/directpaymentfaqs/

My understanding is that you are allocated an amount of money depending on your childs needs. You then purchase the care your daughter requires - manage teh monies. pay tax NI etc.
Has some benefits - you can get teh care YOU want to meet YOUR daughters needs but it can be complecated.

I've written about them here INcludes a link to the parents guide.

you need to request a care assessment. If you qualify you can then ask for dp's. But your ds1's needs need to be assessed frst.

ours are paid in lieu of providing respite btw although I tend to use them more for another pair of hands.