Aa
Facing cuts to Direct Payments - really worried
Hi
I've been gettng Direct Payments for a couple of years and they really are a life saver.
I use a portion of the money to pay for carers to come in and help 3 times a week
through an agency.
(I tried employing my own PA but it was hard work and then major hassles for
holidays etc. - agency more expensive but less hassle).
Last week I got a letter from my local Council to say that their Adult Social Service
team are looking at cutting approximately 50% of the people that they offer help to
(either directly or through the DP)
Everyone is going to be re-assessed and they are hoping not to have to help those
they deem with a moderate/medium help.
I fear that this will be me and I don't know how I will cope without the help I get.
Has anyone else had the same issue?
Are there ways to appeal this nationally or is it really all down to each Council
and how they choose to use their funds?
Big hugs to everyone x
I've been gettng Direct Payments for a couple of years and they really are a life saver.
I use a portion of the money to pay for carers to come in and help 3 times a week
through an agency.
(I tried employing my own PA but it was hard work and then major hassles for
holidays etc. - agency more expensive but less hassle).
Last week I got a letter from my local Council to say that their Adult Social Service
team are looking at cutting approximately 50% of the people that they offer help to
(either directly or through the DP)
Everyone is going to be re-assessed and they are hoping not to have to help those
they deem with a moderate/medium help.
I fear that this will be me and I don't know how I will cope without the help I get.
Has anyone else had the same issue?
Are there ways to appeal this nationally or is it really all down to each Council
and how they choose to use their funds?
Big hugs to everyone x
dear maria,
i am so glad this ended up being a positive experience for you. this sounds like an amazing program that is available to you, and i have my fingers and toes crossed that you not only get to keep your 7.5 hours, but get the additional 2.5 tacked on.
xoxox
binx
i am so glad this ended up being a positive experience for you. this sounds like an amazing program that is available to you, and i have my fingers and toes crossed that you not only get to keep your 7.5 hours, but get the additional 2.5 tacked on.
xoxox
binx
Well the guy came yesterday to re assess me for my care needs under this governments guidelines. Basically we are having a personal budget which seems we can use it for more things care wise......and I can keep my direct payments.
Anyway he was with me for an hour and talked to my husband asked him how my illness impacted his life and stuff and he asked me what I would like to make it better, I told him a magic wand to get me back on my feet and he laughed said he couldnt do that but could give me another 2.5 hours to help me on the days I am on my own.
So he is sending a report asking for me to have an extra 2.5 hours to give me a total of 10 hours a week. I dont care if I dont get the extra 2.5 hours as long as they dont take away my 7.5 I already have.
He asked a lot of questions about my family, about how my illness effects me emotional and stuff and I think he could see for himself how bad I am.....at the end he said I was really good so I asked him if I could have a gold star lol.......
I think he was used to people shouting and moaning at him the way he spoke to me at the end with relief I think that he had an easy ride for an hour lol...I was too exhausted from xmas to give him grief.
Anyway it is a long process of questions but at the end of it if your accepted you get your personal budget and can spend it more flexibly ...
Employing support workers or personal assistants.
Employing family members who do not live with you.
Buying services from an agency or organisation.
Paying expenses for unpaid helpers.
Buying equipment which will help reduce your longer term support needs.
Paying holiday or other expenses for someone supporting you to give your carer a break.
So all the negative information out there on the Internet and scaremongering about everyone loosing their care workers and direct payments might not be so bad after all.......
I wanted to share this positive meeting with you all ......
Like I said its only his recommendation as long as I dont loose my 7.5 hours I shall be happy but if I get the extra 2.5 I will be even more happy lol.
Anyway he was with me for an hour and talked to my husband asked him how my illness impacted his life and stuff and he asked me what I would like to make it better, I told him a magic wand to get me back on my feet and he laughed said he couldnt do that but could give me another 2.5 hours to help me on the days I am on my own.
So he is sending a report asking for me to have an extra 2.5 hours to give me a total of 10 hours a week. I dont care if I dont get the extra 2.5 hours as long as they dont take away my 7.5 I already have.
He asked a lot of questions about my family, about how my illness effects me emotional and stuff and I think he could see for himself how bad I am.....at the end he said I was really good so I asked him if I could have a gold star lol.......
I think he was used to people shouting and moaning at him the way he spoke to me at the end with relief I think that he had an easy ride for an hour lol...I was too exhausted from xmas to give him grief.
Anyway it is a long process of questions but at the end of it if your accepted you get your personal budget and can spend it more flexibly ...
Employing support workers or personal assistants.
Employing family members who do not live with you.
Buying services from an agency or organisation.
Paying expenses for unpaid helpers.
Buying equipment which will help reduce your longer term support needs.
Paying holiday or other expenses for someone supporting you to give your carer a break.
So all the negative information out there on the Internet and scaremongering about everyone loosing their care workers and direct payments might not be so bad after all.......
I wanted to share this positive meeting with you all ......
Like I said its only his recommendation as long as I dont loose my 7.5 hours I shall be happy but if I get the extra 2.5 I will be even more happy lol.
OH NO I had the phone call yesterday from the social services they are reassessing me on the 29th at 4pm........so here it goes then.
I got out my paperwork from the original assessments and I dont think I will have a chance of keeping my 2 girls. From what I have read now you have to be so ill you need constant care....
Well I cant stress over what I cant control so will have to wait and see what she says.......
I get so fed up of this as I was happy with the care from the professionals it was the labour party who gave me the choice of having my own personal budget plan and employ people now I might loose them both.......
2 more on the dole (although their work is not essential to living thank god).
My one lady said she will carry on whether I pay her or not how lovely is that.
So anyway I will let you know how I get on....or not.....
Mariaxx
I got out my paperwork from the original assessments and I dont think I will have a chance of keeping my 2 girls. From what I have read now you have to be so ill you need constant care....
Well I cant stress over what I cant control so will have to wait and see what she says.......
I get so fed up of this as I was happy with the care from the professionals it was the labour party who gave me the choice of having my own personal budget plan and employ people now I might loose them both.......
2 more on the dole (although their work is not essential to living thank god).
My one lady said she will carry on whether I pay her or not how lovely is that.
So anyway I will let you know how I get on....or not.....
Mariaxx
Hi
thanks for your comments.
It's a horrible waiting game isn't it?
Good advice to ride the storm, not a lot else for it.
I'm hoping the agency will be able to back me up (they have to fill in a log of everything they do on each visit - maybe a good idea for anyone who maybe facing a problemm, good evidence of a real need), I will appeal (if that's possible).
Good luck
K
thanks for your comments.
It's a horrible waiting game isn't it?
Good advice to ride the storm, not a lot else for it.
I'm hoping the agency will be able to back me up (they have to fill in a log of everything they do on each visit - maybe a good idea for anyone who maybe facing a problemm, good evidence of a real need), I will appeal (if that's possible).
Good luck
K
Hi oh the dreaded cuts.
I too get Direct Payments and I am worried that I will get this letter well I am just waiting for it really.
Each council has its own pot of money and it is not nationally.
Its ludicrous because the government stated they were putting more MONEY in the direct payments pot so people could get their own care not less. I would challenge this myself if your council are cutting these essential services have you a local MP?
I have 7.5 hours a week 2 girls. Both have kept me focused and sane if I lost them I would go down hill fast. I dont always need them for physical things but mental is more important as well.
All you can do is ride the storm. They are cutting by half but only if the need is not so essential and it sounds to me that your needs are.
The thing is though I was wondering if I lost mine could I then go back to the social services and get my help through them again which I think we can so that they would supply the care its ridiculous as it is swinGs and round abouts.
So from what I have been told by my agency it is coming for some councils who are struggling. I know mine is so I expect I will be loosing my girls too soon. Although both of them have said they would carry on helping me regardless which is nice I have had them both for 2 years.
But if it does come for me I shall put up a fight over it. The problem too is more people will be put on the dole as well.
Sorry I havent been much help but your AGENCY should be helping you with this as well ok.
Mine is Penderals Trust.
maria
I too get Direct Payments and I am worried that I will get this letter well I am just waiting for it really.
Each council has its own pot of money and it is not nationally.
Its ludicrous because the government stated they were putting more MONEY in the direct payments pot so people could get their own care not less. I would challenge this myself if your council are cutting these essential services have you a local MP?
I have 7.5 hours a week 2 girls. Both have kept me focused and sane if I lost them I would go down hill fast. I dont always need them for physical things but mental is more important as well.
All you can do is ride the storm. They are cutting by half but only if the need is not so essential and it sounds to me that your needs are.
The thing is though I was wondering if I lost mine could I then go back to the social services and get my help through them again which I think we can so that they would supply the care its ridiculous as it is swinGs and round abouts.
So from what I have been told by my agency it is coming for some councils who are struggling. I know mine is so I expect I will be loosing my girls too soon. Although both of them have said they would carry on helping me regardless which is nice I have had them both for 2 years.
But if it does come for me I shall put up a fight over it. The problem too is more people will be put on the dole as well.
Sorry I havent been much help but your AGENCY should be helping you with this as well ok.
Mine is Penderals Trust.
maria
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