Direct payments adults with LD

[OurBuild2023]

My son 31 has been given a Direct payment plan, we have no knowledge of the system or how this can be helped to support his needs best. He lives at home & wishes to continue to do so, but does have outgoings. His contribution has been calculated @ a rate we find very high & this would leave him with a defficit. I have asked how much SS are putting towards his care & not received a straighforward answer, also asked what it can be used for& if there are any restrictions to what this cannot be used for.
Whilst he has many barriers in his way, we as a family support him with general things, like his finances, food, washing & such like.
I’m wondering if anyone has any advice pls.

What DPs can be used for depends on the individual’s needs and circumstances and their needs assessment and care plan. You will need to the LA to answer this for you.

If you disagree with the financial assessment, you can appeal. The financial assessment will look at DS’s capital and income. Then it will look at the minimum income guarantee, general household living expenses and disability related expenses.

Does he attend any day services or respite? My daughter’s direct payment is used by me to pay for her respite. The financial assessment document is sent by SC yearly and is a standard type of form which takes into account her current benefits, their is also an additional allowance allowed because she regularly ruins her clothes and they have to be replaced more frequently than usual. She is allowed to keep approx £180 of her income and her weekly contribution is around £20. Her savings are below the threshold. Does your son have more than £6K in savings?

Your local authority should have a DP policy which is clear on how it can be used. In addition in my LA it is also specified in the care plan how it will be used.

@flawlessflipperthank you, they seem very reluctant to share information, & I-may as well be from another planet, which I have explained to them that I know nothing about the system, hence my son being 31 & only just being allocated this 😞. Whilst discussing situations trying to get answers out of the SW, she used a situation of need or want of another client they were requesting to use payment towards gym membership that was declined by her manager as manager said it was a want, I said surely that depends on individual situations as if the client had mobility issues or mental health then the membership would build & tone mussel mass to aid mobility & assist with mental health with socialisation as potential others in the same situation. it all seems so very difficult 😞

@vjg13he doesn’t attend resipte as his needs are that he requires support to do things, has not been kept on in any employment ans his speed to do things isn’t proportional to a work place environment, his communication is complex as has a speech impediment, severe dyslexia , severe dyscalculia, tremor syndrome & is mildly autistic, not reading social ques, lack of organisation, the list goes on…. However with the support we put in he gets a lot out of life. I’m trying to get things now I place that should we no longer be here to do what we do, they system sees that he’s ok for now 😞