carers

t21

hello.
i am desperate to find some advice about entitlements as a family member being a carer and also does anyone have any idea about direct payments and what they can be used for?
i am thinking about taking on my 21 yr old sister with learning disabilities who is currently looked after by social services.
any help?

dsgo

Hello. I've got a disabled 7 year old and I know how frustrating it can be to find useful information. It's hard to point anyone in a specific direction unless the person you are trying to help has almost identical circumstances and ours are slightly different. However a really good starting point is the government website Directgov. I've included the link for you and hopefully it will give you a good start and best wishes to you.


direct.gov.uk/en/DisabledPeople/index.htm

Place the www before it. I can't at the moment. New users can't post a direct link !

DX2

t21 wrote: »

hello.
i am desperate to find some advice about entitlements as a family member being a carer and also does anyone have any idea about direct payments and what they can be used for?
i am thinking about taking on my 21 yr old sister with learning disabilities who is currently looked after by social services.
any help?

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/DisabledPeople/FinancialSupport/Introductiontofinancialsupport/DG_10016128

What you can use direct payments for

The money is for you to use to pay for the services and equipment which will meet the needs the local council has assessed you as having.
As a general principle, councils should let you to choose how best to meet your assessed needs as long as they are satisfied that agreed support arrangements are being met.

What you cannot use direct payments for

You cannot use direct payments to pay for permanent residential accommodation - but you may be able to use direct payments to pay for occasional short periods in residential accommodation, if your council agrees that is what you need.
Unless your council decides that exceptional circumstances make it necessary, you cannot use direct payments to pay for a service from:

• your spouse (husband or wife)
• your civil partner
• a partner with whom you live as a couple
• a close relative with whom you live, or the spouse or partner of that close relative

eve13_2

My son is 25, autistic. His direct payment is used for his sister to be his PA. She doesn't live with us. We have been told that although it shouldn't be used for family member living with caree there are exceptions made if it can be shown that it would be better/necessary for caree. Has she got a care manager? Your sister can get a CEA card, she would pay for cinema, carer gets in free. She would be entitled to free buss pass, ask for plus 1 on it so you can escort her free. Can get disabled train pass, you would both travel at discounted price can also use it on trainline.co.uk to get further discount. Council run sports centres offer concessionary prices. You can get carers allowance if you work under 16 hours a week/earn £90 (i think its slightly more but i'm erring on side of caution!) and care for he 35+ hours a week. I also get Income Support with this to take me to liveable income. Ask for a Carers Assessment. BUT caring is very,very hard work. Be very certain you want to take it on full time permanently. I'm in a burn out at the moment, won't bore you with details, just to say that I would never ever choose to do this for anyone except my own children as it can severely damage your help. Please think very carefully before making your decision.