My son is in the process of receiving Self Directed Funding - it still has to be approved. I will be managing his Funding under Option 1 Direct Payments, as he does not have the mental capacity.
Should I open a new bank account in my name as I will be fully responsible and accountable for how the money is spent? He does have his own bank account which I manage. I’m looking for the most straightforward and easy to manage option. I thought if there were any financial problems with service providers for example, that it would be better in my name so that I could fight his corner. Looking for guidance!
You might want to take advice from your LA but either option should be fine, so it probably is just about what is simpler for you. The account is really just somewhere for the funds to sit and shouldn’t really have any further implications. I know people sometimes worry about having another bank account in their name if they receive means-tested benefits etc. but direct payments are not taken into account as income when these are calculated and are not treated as taxable income by HMRC.
Hope this helps. Please feel free to post any other questions you might have about Option 1/direct payments.
Yes, opening a new account in your name is how I do it, and others I know. If your LA tries to tell you you have to have a pre-paid card or a managed account, you don’t. You can have a Direct Payment in an account set up by you, under your control and in your name.
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