Direct Payment figures dont make sense, cant get any answers from anywhere 23 July at 11:21AM in Benefits & Tax Credits 19 replies 361 views

michael079

Hello there, i took over proividing my mothers care package at the beginning of April after Social Care Direct informed my mother she could employ a family member because of Covid19. I was told by the council and social services to pay myself out of the direct payment. At the same time, the social worker informed me an extra 3 hours per week was added to the direct payment and said she would send out the updated support plan, which reflected this. However the figures being paid by the direct payment into the online account the council set up didnt reflect this, so for clarity i emailed the social worker who called me immediately to say everything looks fine her end, i didnt understand the maths so she said she would email me, which she did explaining the figures. However i soon saw she had calculated it different from what it had always been, only accounting for 28 days per month instead of a 30 or 31 day month and it works out about £250 less a month.. She stated the correct weekly amounts but multplied it by four not accounting for the fact there are more than 4 weeks in a month. the direct payment was always worked out on an hourly rate. I checked the support plan again to confirm it. I emailed straight back (about a month ago) and pointed this out but got no response. I emailed her again 2 weeks ago saying i am still unclear about this and cant make any payments until its clear, but still no response. I called Social Care Direct Scotland last week and they said they could only pass a message on to the social worker to contact me, but still nothing. Perhaps she is very busy but i just dont understand or know what to do now. Are we supposed to accept it how it is? My mother has had a rapid decline with dementia during lockdown and im caring for her 24/7, one less thing to be stressed about would be great, all i want is clarity. Any advice would be much appreciated.

Gravedigger

Does she perhaps get 13 monthly payments per year which gives a four week month?

poppy12345

I manage direct payments for my daughter through a bank account made by my local council. Funds for her are added monthly. I then pay her PA every 4 weeks as advised by the payroll company that manages the wages slips and tax etc. I don't understand when you say " you can't make payments" what can't you make payments for?

michael079

Gravedigger said:

Does she perhaps get 13 monthly payments per year which gives a four week month?

Hi, no it was set up in December and i would pay the previous care company from the it, and it was always paid every month according to how many days and hours were worked that month. Always the same hours per day but obviously some months have 30 days or 31 not 28.

poppy12345

Your mum will have a personal budget and the payments will be divided up into equal payments and the money will be deposited at regular intervals, so it should work out correct in the end. What payments can't you make? Do you mean payments to you?

poppy12345

Does she have to pay a contribution towards the care she receives? Most local councils won't cover the whole cost of care. If she has to make a contribution then this maybe why you're seeing a shortfall.

michael079

poppy12345 said:

I manage direct payments for my daughter through a bank account made by my local council. Funds for her are added monthly. I then pay her PA every 4 weeks as advised by the payroll company that manages the wages slips and tax etc. I don't understand when you say " you can't make payments" what can't you make payments for?

I mean to myself. I was instructed by the council to pay myself directly from the direct payment from the account it's paid into.
I'd prefer to be cleasr about exactly what that is before doing so. It was all very clear when we had previous care company but now it isn't and appears to have changed.

poppy12345

Her local council should make sure there's enough of funds in the account for your wages, whether you receive them 4 weekly or monthly.

michael079

poppy12345 said:

Her local council should make sure there's enough of funds in the account for your wages, whether you receive them 4 weekly or monthly.

That's how it was until I took over providing her care. The care company would invoice me with the hours worked each month and there was always the same amount paid in roughly each month to cover it.  

michael079

poppy12345 said:

Does she have to pay a contribution towards the care she receives? Most local councils won't cover the whole cost of care. If she has to make a contribution then this maybe why you're seeing a shortfall.

She did have to pay a contribution previously when we had care company,  but the council contribution is calculated on it's own and seperate. 

poppy12345

It should all work itself out correctly though. I'm assuming she still has to pay a contribution? I still don't understand why you haven't paid yourself. Surely there's funds in the account for you?