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Direct payments

I have a car on the motobility scheme, I also use direct payments for taxis as my dad works during the day. as I have mental health, as well as cerebral palsy, it is vital I get out during the day, my mum is my main carer, and is 71years old, and has health issues of her own, I use taxis to get out during the day to go to the gym, with helps with my mental health, and gives my mum a break. Social services are trying to stop me using direct payment for taxis, on the grounds that I have a motobility car, I have been using them for eight years, for taxis, I believe that they can use their discretion and allow me to use the direct payment for transport, am I correct in thinking this?.
Replies
I'm going to have a rant here because what gives them the right to stop you spending your money in any way you like? GRRR!!!
Best wishes.
DLTBGYD
In simple terms, you are correct.
Direct Payments, as the name suggests, are to empower the recipient.
As you have funded your taxi use, from this source, which did not cause the social services to intervene.
Have you got a name social worker or support worker?
You need to check your right of appeal against this decision.
Are there any advocacy charities near you?
I dealt with direct payments, on behalf of my brother in law, for over 10 years.
You need to dig your heels in and get as much support as possible.
Keep us informed.
With Best wishes.
Just as a secondary question why do you have a car from Motability if you use taxies and not the car to get around?
When my care plan was drawn up, it was made clear to me that the funding was to be used to pay my carers.
I don't believe it would be for taxis, unless it has been previously discussed and okayed.
Perhaps you need a new care assessment, which would include paying a carer to take you out in your car.
That`s what I do.
SS is really strict on what and where you can spend the money even if it is in the care plan.
Scope
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So if you can get a professional company to clean for the same price, then that should be okay.
As for the taxi question, my daughter uses taxis and these are paid by the SS via direct payment. I was told that I can use the transport money in any way I want to eg. paying for a driver for our car, or using a taxi. If the cost is the same then they don't have a problem. Direct payments are meant to be used flexibly.