Where do we start, Direct Payments?!

[blueheartceramics]

Hiya I'm a parent carer to 26 yo daughter, the local authority has increased her contributions by 194% for day centres she cannot go to, and a support worker who's brilliant, but can only come once a week, at best (covid permitting). My daughter K, has decided she doesn't want to pay for day centres that are not safe and do not meet her needs, any longer, shes says a year of it is enough. So she a wants us to go back to direct payments. During her financial assessment we didn't know was happening we weren't asked any questions at all, they based it upon the last one , which was done when she was still at school I think. They said it cost £3.84 to be disabled or at least the amount they discount. I think they have that figure from her boots, she needs supportive footwear. The expenses from the support worker haven't been taken into consideration at all. The letter stating her contributions had gone up arrived 10th Feb, but the charges increase 24th Jan, so each week with is causing us more and more stress, without any support at all, the letter said we can make a complaint to the local authority & WBADutyWorker, (who is this?), which of course we did, but so far there has been no useful information at all. Sorry for the long post, but I needed to get that off my chest. Any help or advice would be welcomed. Is anyone else going through the same sorts of things? Where do we start? Thank you.

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Hi blueheartceramics, I see that you've just joined the Care Community, so a warm welcome to you.Oh dear, benefits cause such problems for carers don't they? It's so easy to think that you are acting for the best at assessments, only to fall into some trap or another that lands you worse instead of better off.

I'm no expert on benefits but of course you should appeal this. I always think it's unforgivable to be given initials in official letters that leave you wondering, such as is the case with WBADutyWorker. West Bromwich Albion maybe? It might as well be for all we laypeople know. It should be mandatory not only to use a title in full but to give a full explanation as to how to get hold of this august person! I can only guess but the WB may be some sort of initials for welfare benefits. I'm afraid I'm as in the dark as you are. Maybe another member of the community can help with that one.

It's extremely frustrating that everything takes twice as long during the pandemic but an organisation which is ultra busy but will give you some good advice is CAB (citizens advice). You can contact them online at: citizensadvice.org.uk. They are wizards at sorting things out and offering the best advice and I'm sure will have dealt with problems like this, many times. Maybe one of our other members can help you further, so check back too, to see if you receive other replies.

I know that it does just help a bit to get it off your chest, so any time you feel like a bit of a rant, please fill your boots here. We've all been there at some time or another!