Direct Payments confusion

burkey365

Hi, I am not sure if this website will answer this question but I haven't been on here for a few years but here goes, I am in receipt of direct payments which goes to pay my carer and is also used to pay an accountant who produces tax slips and payslips which is fine, I get taken to a day group and spend time with other disabled adults but I fear I may hav inadvertently upset someone there whilst chatting, she said she had also used excess money from dd payments to pay house bills and even pay for a family members funeral, I said I didn't think she would be allowed to do that and could possibly get into trouble, I didn't mean to upset her but she got hysterical and lost her temper and struck me...i kno it's my fault and it's not my business what others are allowed to do but i am more worried I may hav caused her more ill health with unnecessary worry, I hav learnt a lesson to not interfere but I meant it in good intentions as I didn't want her possibly getting into trouble, maybe losing her care through direct payments or even worse being prosecuted as it's a really friendly group where we value each others friendship and support...please tell me I am wrong on both counts, interfering and that they could lose the care or even worse be prosecuted for wrongfully spending it..she has hardly spoke to me since and it's frosty for the other members, I miss her..thanks

onlygoingforward

The local council will usually audit people's accounts at some point and if found to have been spent inappropriately then would be reclaimed. At my council we don't stop care if it's working fine just stop access to the funds by getting it managed in another way. I have audited many accounts and seen a lot that's not allowable but no one has ever been prosecuted or had care stopped.

nannytone_2

when a person is awarded direct payments, they are told exactly what it covers. usually wages for a carer?PA and the costs associated ( wage slips, employer NI contributions, managed bank account, insurance)
to step outside of this remit without permission is not allowed