using direct payment for respite

CommunityConnections

Hi All

I wandered if any of you could give me some examples of creative ways you have used a DP or PB to access respite, other than in a traditional care setting. I am wanting to use my carers budget to book a weekend away as a break, what are your thoughts?

Antonia_Alumni

Hi @CommunityConnections

Thank you for sharing this with us. Some of our members may be able to share their thoughts on this.

poppy123456

Hi,

Firstly you need to check that you can use your DP for this. There's rules about what you can and can't use the DP for.

CommunityConnections

Hi Poppy

Thanks for the info, can you tell me where i would find these rules as when i google it nothing comes up other than it depends whet you have been assessed for.....which just says respite. 

Maybe i am not googling the correct wording so that is why its coming up blank?? 

poppy123456

If your personal budget includes respite then you can use it for this purpose, otherwise you can't use it. My daughter receives a personal budget through direct payments and has extra on top for respite. The respite can be used for her and her support worker to go on weekends away up to the maximum of the respite allowance given to give me a break.

You answered your own question here... " it depends what you've been assessed for and what it states in your care plan" My advice is don't use that for respite without first contacting your social worker or local council to check what exactly you can use the DP for. If you use it for respite and it's not in the care plan then you'll end up owing your local council money. Usually a PB can't be spent on respite "holidays" unless your personal allowance states extra money for respite.