FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT

Our Service
 

Independent living agency provides a Corporate Appointeeship service to individuals that need help managing their personal benefits. This is normally following a referral from the local authority social work team or from Department of Work and Pensions (DWP).

 

What is an Appointee?

An appointee is an organisation or person who has been appointed by DWP or a local authority to receive welfare benefits on behalf of someone who is unable to manage their financial affairs.  An appointee cannot be used simply because it is more convenient although it may be used if someone can manage their finances but is at risk of financial abuse and it is safer for someone else to manage their money.

The appointee is fully responsible for acting on behalf of the person for whom they are appointed in all dealings with DWP. This includes:
 

• Claiming benefits

• Identifying which benefits to claim and getting benefits advice

• Completing and signing claim forms and providing additional evidence if required

• Making renewal claims when they are due

• Collecting benefits and managing the money in the person's best interests

• Reporting changes in the person's circumstances such as change of address, changes in money situation, changes in who lives in the household or if the person goes into hospital.

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Managing the Benefits

For the purpose of receiving the person's benefits, independent living agency set up a separate bank account to receive payments from DWP.  This account is separate to any other accounts.  Any expenditure from this account is checked and authorised as being for the person's benefit and in their best interests.
If the person is claiming means-tested benefits, independent living agency has to ensure the balance of money the person has in all accounts held in their name or on their behalf does not exceed the threshold at which benefits are reduced or stopped.  If the total money does exceed this amount, independent living agency will need to let DWP know as soon as possible.  For cases with Housing Benefit or Council Tax, this information is also shared with the local authority.

DWP can ask for details of how the money was spent. If so, the appointee has a duty to provide the information. 

 

Making Payments

Independent living agency role as appointee is to ensure all required bills are paid following the set up of a budget based on their incomings.  These bills include any rent/mortgage payments, council tax, plus regular household services such as utilities, TV licence, broadband, digital TV, mobile phone etc.  We are only able to arrange these payments when provided with the account details and amounts and if the individual is willing to consent to us discussing their account.

Payment of personal money is arranged based on the individual's personal circumstances.  This will be agreed in conjunction with the individual, their social worker or support worker in line with their budget and best interests.