Flexible Spending of Direct Payment for social package

[lwjint]

I was wondering how many people have heard from their local authorities about the government's 'guidance for receiving direct payments'. It's difficult to use full amount of direct payment due to the Covid-19 social distancing. The government has allowed the DP recipients to use the unused built-up money flexibly, for example to buy some items to meet the person's needs. Our LA (Lancashire County Council) has not informed our family about the guidance. The guidance is clear that the LA has statutory duty to contact all the DP recipients. We have never been contacted until I raised a query about it to the council. It seems that only few people have been aware of it and the unused DP money has been wasted up. It'll be difficult for the DP recipients and their family. I would like to know who have been contacted and who have not yet. There is a relevant link.
'www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-guidance-for-people-receiving-direct-payments'

I was only aware of the changes by chance and approached our LA myself rather than them contacting me. We have 2 preteen DC who receive DPs and were also shielding. 1 remains on the CEV list, the other has been removed.

For one we were allowed to use some to get some exercise equipment, Xbox live and a headset so DS3 could play with his PA and communicate with classmates. Initially his PA also attended virtual scouts with him (DS3 found virtual scouts difficult to join in and needed support), but it didn't work so while DD2 was home from university we were allowed to pay her to attend with him and also take him on bike rides/bake etc.

DS1's needs are significantly greater and we have strugggled to spend much of his because he struggles with virtual contact.

I believe there should be some flexibility to carry funds forward whichever I am hoping will help with DS1 but who knows.

It seems that the LAs do not contact the direct payment recipients to let them know the government guidance. The guidance clearly states that the LAs must do so. Consequently, not many people know the allowed flexibility of DP.

No contact to highlight the revised spending guidelines, just a demand for repayment!

It's the LA's statutory duty to let the people know it.

To be fair my LA fails to stick to its statuary duty on many fronts!

"statutory" even

Stupid question but what is a direct payment for social package ?

Noproblem Direct payments from social care are where the LA gives money for you to source your own support rather than providing it directly.

Thanks Bottles - I’ve been reading up on it