advice re bank account

[stroppy*cow]

Now are you sitting comfortably -  this could be a long saga.

Son, in early 30's has ASD, lives in a supported living scheme with 24hours support. He operates at about the 5 year level, has almost no language (the only word he uses regularly is NO). He cannot choose netween a red shirt and a blue shirt, has no idea of money.

Having managed for years as his appointee, and having used a bank account in my name, I decided that the time had come to look to the future, to sort things out probably. Since he lacks capacity to give consent, we can't just set up a straightforward power of attorney, so had to apply for the court of protection for a deputyship. To save future complications, so applied for (and was granted) a joint orser with daughter, so that if I am not able, she can just take over the management.

So reasonably straightforward so far.

So the court of protection want us to set up a new bank account, have all his benefits paid in to the new account and pay all his bills from the new account. Sounds reasonable and was exactly the reason that the deputyship was et up.

So went to the high st bank that I have had a current account with for longer than I care to think about. Yes, that will be no problem, made an appointment, went to see the bod who is supposed to know about these things. Yes, can have a joint account, either to sign, with son's name on the account as well as mine and daughter's, can have a cash card to get cash out for his personal spending, yes can have telephone banking, yes can have online banking, yes can have monthly statements will take about 3 weeks to get it all set up. All forms filled in, second set of forms delivered to daughter who took them in to her local branch (in Wiltshire) with all proof of id and they faxed it all through to my local branch. Confirmed by email the next day that they had all the paperwork needed.

2 months later - nothing. Sent a polite email asking what is happening - 2 days layer a cheque book arrived. That was 3 months ago. Despite phone calls, and repeated emails I still am waiting for the form to apply for a bank card, and the id reference needed to set up telephone banking. Cannot set up internet banking until telephone banking is set up. I am told that this is all because it is a "business account" - well if this is how they deal with business accounts it no wonder that businesses are in trouble.

So decided that I would give up, and go to the High St bank where daughter has been a customer for over 10 years, and where I have a current account that is used for paying for son's care only.

Made an appointment - no way they will even consider setting up any sort of joint account without both parties being present, no way that son's name can be in any way linked to the account as he has no proof of identity.

To say that I am fed up and frustrated is putting it mildly.

[bitsnknots]

Sorry that you've had problems Stroppy.  Unfortunately, it's typical of banks.  I sometimes to into my mum's bank to either deposit or withdraw money whenever she asks me.  In this bank, there are only two cash desks and there's one machine where you can either deposit or withdraw cash and also obtain a mini statement.  Trying to get the mini statement is a work of art.  Even if you can get one, it doesn't always want to part with the bank card.  When you ask for help, some of the staff look at you like your absolutely bonkers.  Banks - they are literally pains in the you know where.

[cookiecookuk]

i wished i new how to help stroppy but i walk into a bank the other day and opened a new bank accout without depositing any money and showing no id..she said as i had lived at my address for long enough that was all she needed...which i thought was very strange.

[**towery**]

what was the problem with the original bank account?

could that not be  changed to add your daughter?

[stroppy*cow]

---

@**towery** wrote:

what was the problem with the original bank account?

could that not be  changed to add your daughter?

---

Original bank account not only won't add daughter, there is no telephone banking, no internet banking, and as soon as I informed them about the quardianship they cancelled the cash card, so to pay any bill I have to write a cheque to myself, pay it into my bank account, and then pay it from my own account. To get the cash that son needs every week to pay for food etc. I have to write a cheque to myself, pay it into my bank and draw out the cash, then drive up to son's to give it to the staff.I can't set up any sort of direct debit or standing order from son's account, so paying his bills is a real pain.

[**towery**]

hope you manage to get something sorted quickly

im not sure im this day and age why there isnt a simply  care package account

why have it as a business account?

[stroppy*cow]

---

@**towery** wrote:

hope you manage to get something sorted quickly

im not sure im this day and age why there isnt a simply  care package account

why have it as a business account?

---

They say that it can't be a personal account, so it has to be a business account as those are the only two choices.

Can't be a personal account in son's name, or any sort of a joint personal account because son has no proof of id. He doesn't get mail, doesn't vote, the health authority won't issue a NHS medical card, all his correspondence from the DWP is addressed to me as his appointee, he hasn't got a mobile phone, doesn't get utility bills, doesn't have a driving licence or a passport. All he has is a bus pass, and a blue badge and the bank don't accept those.

[auntieannie44]

I am probably talking out of my left elbow here, but is there not an organisation who speaks for people like your son, who would have information on how to do these things.  I know Alzheimers soc. give a great deal of help and information in setting up accounts and dealing with banks etc.  I was thinking possibly of MIND.  I could quite easily be away with the fairies, but it is just something that is nagging gently at the back of my mind.

[stroppy*cow]

---

@auntieannie44 wrote:

I am probably talking out of my left elbow here, but is there not an organisation who speaks for people like your son, who would have information on how to do these things.  I know Alzheimers soc. give a great deal of help and information in setting up accounts and dealing with banks etc.  I was thinking possibly of MIND.  I could quite easily be away with the fairies, but it is just something that is nagging gently at the back of my mind.

---

No, you aren't talking out of your left elbow at all.

Sometimes the obvious is just too obvious, I am supposed to be the "expert" as I work for the main support agency for disabled people in the area, totally forgot to check with my colleagues in other voluntary agencies to see if any of them had come across this and found a solution.

Thank you

[soppysofty]

Stroppy

As your son is in a supported living scheme may I suggest that you talk to the manager of the scheme as they should have all the information etc. that you need.

Your son's dilemma is not new and is one that I would think the scheme has had to deal with many times over the years it has been established.

Failing that, if you Google your son's condition you will find a support group for it who will be able to help you.

Otherwise, CAB will be able to assist you if you make an appointment and pop in to see them.

If all else fails go to your bank and ask to speak with the manager, explain the situation and ask for their advise.

I tend to find that if you act all ignorant but polite and appear helpless then people will fall over backwards to help you.

[merc1_clocks]

Jeez stroppy...what a farce!

I so hope some of the advice given helps solve your dilemma 

[irene.tommy]

---

@soppysofty wrote:

Stroppy

As your son is in a supported living scheme may I suggest that you talk to the manager of the scheme as they should have all the information etc. that you need.

Your son's dilemma is not new and is one that I would think the scheme has had to deal with many times over the years it has been established.

Failing that, if you Google your son's condition you will find a support group for it who will be able to help you.

Otherwise, CAB will be able to assist you if you make an appointment and pop in to see them.

If all else fails go to your bank and ask to speak with the manager, explain the situation and ask for their advise.

I tend to find that if you act all ignorant but polite and appear helpless then people will fall over backwards to help you.

---

Thats what i would do.

[mustard-tree]

Some suggestions Stroppy from a friend of mine who had the same problem.

Can you contact DWP and ask for a letter confirming your sons benefit entitlement, but emphasise that it must be in his name, even if it is sent to you.

Try to obtain a National Identity Card, this can be countersigned by your sons doctor, but you will probably be charged for this.

Some banks will also accept a birth certificate as well.

Hope this is of some help