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.