Direct Payments on hold because I’m in temporary accommodation — what can I do?

zakhama

Hi everyone,

I hope you’re all doing well. I’m looking for some advice about Direct Payments and temporary accommodation.

I have a care package of 7 hours per week, and my cousin has been supporting me as my personal assistant for over 6 weeks now. She does much more than 7 hours because of my health needs.

However, the Direct Payments team told me they cannot set up my managed account or start paying my cousin because I am currently living in temporary accommodation (placed there by the council after an unlawful eviction).

They said they cannot open the Allpay account in my name because I don’t have documents with the temporary address, and they also said Direct Payments cannot start until I am in a permanent home.

I still need the support now, and my cousin is doing all the work a PA would normally do. She’s struggling financially because she is helping me so much.

Has anyone been in a similar situation?

Is it really true that DP cannot be started until I’m in permanent accommodation?

Is there anything I can do to get support for my cousin in the meantime?

Any advice or guidance would be really appreciated.

Thank you so much.

Rachel_Scope

Hi @zakhama and welcome to the community. I've tried to search for information about this and couldn't get a straight answer. There may be someone else here who has been through this who could help.

Do you know how long you'll be in temporary accommodation for?

zakhama

Hi @Rachel _Scope, thank you so much 💕

I’m not really sure how long I’ll be in temporary accommodation for. The council placed me in a hotel on 25 August, and since then they’ve been extending my stay month-by-month. Every time I reach the checkout date, they extend it again for another month.

So at the moment, it’s all very uncertain and I don’t have a clear timeframe from them.

Rachel_Scope

That must be frustrating not knowing what's going on. So are you in a hotel? I'm wondering if that's the issue, as it's a business having it as your address could cause complications with the application process and payments. Just a thought!

zakhama

Hi @Rachel_Scope,

Yes, I’m currently in a hotel.

And you’re right, it’s really frustrating not knowing what’s going to happen or how long I’ll be here for. Everything is being extended month-to-month, so I’m always unsure about what comes next.

It’s really frustrating, because my cousin has been helping me with all my care needs since June, but she can’t be paid…

Thank you for your support 💜