If you employ your PA, the direct payment rate must cover not only their wage, but also other costs needed for their employment.
These costs form part of the amount the council will fund for your Direct Payment and so the council have a set rate of £12 an hour as the amount you can pay your PA.
If you are using a self-employed PA, you can pay them the full direct payment amount as they need to pay their own tax and arrange other things such as holiday and redundancy.
When the local authority does an audit, they will ask you for all invoices and reasoning for each payment you have made.
Once all evidence is provided, they will give back (reimburse) any extra (surplus) funds and leave you with enough in the account to cover at least 4 weeks of support, annual payments and redundancy You will need to let them them know the amount you need for this.
The direct payment will then continue as normal
We would not advise you to pay a PA less to use more hours of support.
This is to make sure your PA is paid fairly. Paying PAs fairly means they are more likely to stay working for you and so make sure you have continuity of care.
We would not advise you to use fewer hours to pay a PA more. This is because your direct payment is based on your assessed need.
If you are seen to be using fewer hours, the funding body may reduce your direct payment. This would mean you would then get fewer hours of support and so would not be able to continue paying your PA at the same rate.
Audits are your responsibility. When the local authority does an audit, they will ask you for all invoices and reasoning for each payment you have made.
It is important to set up a record keeping system to prepare for audits. This can be paper copy or digital but must include invoices for all transactions from the account.
If you used a supported bank account service, they will send the bank statements to the Council for you.
A direct payment is an amount of money given to you following an assessment of your needs. This will be shown in your support plan.
You can therefore use the money to pay for a PA to support you, and any costs that are part of employing a PA.
If you feel your needs have increased and you need more support, you will need to contact your local authority (Council) and request a reassessment.
If you are looking to end a PA’s contract, you will need to speak to your employer and public liability insurance company, so they can advise on how to do so lawfully as an employer.
Contact your insurance who will be able to guide you in the process that you need to follow.
If the DBS has been provided by Bolton council and it is still in date, this can be used.
You must ask to see this to make sure it is in date. If it has not been provided by Bolton council or is out of date, your Advisor can do a new check for you. This will be paid for by the council.
If you use a payroll service, they can help you with this. It is important to let recording sickness, holidays, absences on the time sheet that you submit so that you can pass this on to your Payroll provider. You should also keep a copy for yourself.
When you employ a personal assistant you become responsible for organising your support. This includes:
Rember that you must not employ your spouse/partner or family member living at the same address unless it has been agreed with the Council.
Contact your Employment Insurance Provider who will be able to guide you in the process that you need to follow.
It can take up to 4 weeks for the funding to come in from the council from the date the paperwork was sent. If it has been 4 weeks, please email dpfinance@bolton.gov.uk
If it has been more than 4 weeks since your Advisor completed the paperwork with you, please contact your Advisor.
Please contact your Advisor.
If you have a supported bank account, please contact your supported banking provider who can look into this.
If you use our Supported Banking Service, make sure that the agency have sent the invoices to the correct email address which is banking@disabilitypositive.org
If you manage a bank account yourself, you are responsible for paying the invoices sent by the agency.
Contact your social worker and let them know.
The easiest way is to set up a standing order from your personal bank account to the designated Direct Payment account either as a weekly payment or 4 weekly payment.
If you use a supported banking service, you will have been provided with the bank account details and reference. If you do not have this, you should ask your supported banking service to send this to you again.
Contact your social worker who will review your Direct Payment and assess your needs.
It is up to you. There are advantages and disadvantages to each.
You should contact your social worker or duty team.
You should contact your social worker or duty team.
You need to contact your social worker or duty team.
We can’t give any recommendation, however you can see reviews on the Quality Care Commission website https://www.cqc.org.uk/
No. We recommend trying Citizen’s Advice for help with this.
The following link may be helpful.
https://www.moneyhelper.org.uk/en/benefits/problems-with-benefits/how-to-appeal-a-benefits-decision
No. We recommend trying Citizen Advice for help with this.
