Should I agree to a Council Allpay account?

BetterDealer

I am going to be receiving a Direct Payment of Adult Social Care from our local Council for a close family member.  The Council is very keen for us to open an Allpay account.  

I can see how Allpay makes their work easier but, aside from having to send in regular accounts etc, are there any downsides to Allpay for us that would make it better to open a bank account of our own choice?

beanielou

I just use a basic bank account for mine. 

Cyclamen

Hi 

I have a separate account with my own bank for direct payments.

I know many councils are moving towards prepaid cards or systems to monitor the accounts. 

I dont know if this is relevant to allpay accounts but..  For me personally i need to be able to pay invoices for my self employed PAs, agencies as they come in and not send them off and wait for a company to pay. That time delay has cost friends their staff.  I still have a payroll company for my employed PAs but they send me the payslips and i pay.  Then at review print bankstatements and show them the file of payslips and invoices... perhaps allpay limits the work ou need to do.

Is there a local group for direct payments who can explain how your county works.. its so varied. 

analogueauntie

Mine works perfectly well but I resent not being 'copied in' to statements as it makes it impossible to keep full records. Apparently I don't have the right to these as the council is the customer rather than myself. It can be a lot of work if your care arrangements aren't agency-based.