Appointeeship | Becoming a DWP Benefits Appointee

Why am I getting a visit from the DWP?

The Department of Work and Pensions visiting service arranges for you to meet with one of their 450 visiting officers after you make an application to become the appointee of a vulnerable person. In that case, these are some of the things they will want to know.

1. • You are who you say you are and can prove your identity and relationship to the vulnerable person.

1. • You are a suitable and willing person to manage someone else benefit money as their benefits appointee.

1. • You have a separate appointee bank account to receive the benefit payments of the vulnerable person.

1. • You understand the financial duties and responsibilities of being someone’s benefits appointee.

1. • That you will act in the best interests of the vulnerable person at all times.

It is important that you are well prepared before the visit and have the necessary documents and information ready to be inspected. Remember, the DWP Visiting Officer is there to not only fulfil the necessary ID checks and best interest assessment but also to assist you with any questions that you may have. You should receive a letter from the DWP beforehand which will let you know the name of the Visiting Officer and date and time of the meeting. Ensure that you check their ID card when they visit also.

Unless the Visiting Officer has any concerns about your wish to become an appointee, it is likely that they will start the appointeeship process with you by completing a form called a BF57 application. Amongst information about yourself and the person you wish to be the appointee for, the BF56 application also requires the bank sort code and account number into which the welfare benefit payments will be made.

It is important that this is a separate bank account so that the money belonging to the vulnerable person you will be the appointee for is not mixed with your own money. You may also be required to provide copies of bank statements to the DWP in the future and you can open a free and dedicated Appointee Bank Account on the Monika Banking Platform from Money carer for this purpose.

The Appointee Bank Account has been designed specifically for those intending to become DWP appointee and has lots of special features designed to make things easier for you and the person you will be financially responsible for. Some of these feautes are detailed below:

• Free of Charge and simple to open
• Financial Service Compensation Scheme (FSCS) protected
• Buil-in welfare benefit check and entitlement calculator
• Store, view and share DWP letters and other documents
• Prepaid spending cards for loved ones /carers/support workers
• Biometric fingerprint activated debit cards – No PIN required
• Set up automated balance limits on accounts for safeguarding
• Get personalised suspicious payment alerts for fraud monitoring
• Use or Current Account Switch Service to transfer old account
• Interactive Secure Portal Access for Carers and Support Workers
• Entry onto the Vulnerability Registration Service database
• Access to expert support from the Money Carer Foundation

Learn more about the specialist appointee banking service and open an appointee account here

For further information about becoming a DWP appointee, please download our appointee guide for family members.

The Money Carer Current Account Switching service is a collaboration between Pay.UK, Zempler Bank, and Money Carer to provide a bank account switching service between a vulnerable person’s existing bank account to their new bank account opened for them on the Money Carer banking platform (named ‘Monika’)

This important new service will significantly simplify the process of closing and transferring bank account balances and all inbound and outbound payments from a person’s old bank account to their new bank account with Money Carer. Everything will happen within seven working days. Deputies, appointees and attorneys can all access the service free of charge from September 9th, 2024.

To become a DWP (Department for Work and Pensions) appointee in the UK, you’ll need to complete the appropriate process and provide necessary forms and documentation. Here’s an outline of what you need to know:

What is a DWP Appointee?

A DWP appointee is someone officially authorised to manage benefit claims and payments on behalf of a person who cannot do so themselves due to mental incapacity or severe physical disability.

Steps to Become a DWP Appointee

1. Contact the DWP:
   • Call the DWP to start the process. You can find the relevant contact number on the DWP’s website or in correspondence about the person’s benefits.
   • Inform them you want to become an appointee for someone.
2. DWP Interview:
   • A DWP visiting officer will arrange an interview with you and the person you want to help.
   • During the interview, they assess the situation to ensure the person cannot manage their benefits independently.
   • They’ll explain the responsibilities of being an appointee and check your suitability for the role.
3. Complete Form BF56:
   • If approved, you’ll need to complete Form BF56, which formalises your role as an appointee.
   • The DWP visiting officer will provide this form during the interview process.
4. Appointee Decision:
   • Once the DWP processes the form and approves your application, they’ll send you confirmation. You’ll then officially become the appointee.
5. Managing Benefits:
   • As an appointee, you’ll be responsible for handling all benefits-related matters for the person. This includes filling out forms, providing updates to the DWP, and using the benefits in the person’s best interest.

Key Responsibilities as an Appointee

• Open a separate appointee bank account.
• Act in the best interest of the individual.
• Inform the DWP of any changes in the person’s circumstances (e.g., hospitalisation or change of address).
• Keep records of how benefits are used.
• Notify the DWP if the person’s condition improves, and they can manage their benefits again.

Important Notes

• Being an appointee is a legal responsibility. Mismanaging funds or failing to notify the DWP of changes can lead to investigation or penalties.
• If you no longer wish to act as an appointee or the person’s circumstances change, you must inform the DWP.

Why am I getting a visit from the DWP?

The Department of Work and Pensions visiting service arranges for you to meet with one of their 450 visiting officers after you make an application to become the appointee of a vulnerable person. In that case, these are some of the things they will want to know.

1. • You are who you say you are and can prove your identity and relationship to the vulnerable person.

1. • You are a suitable and willing person to manage someone else benefit money as their benefits appointee.

1. • You have a separate appointee bank account to receive the benefit payments of the vulnerable person.

1. • You understand the financial duties and responsibilities of being someone’s benefits appointee.

1. • That you will act in the best interests of the vulnerable person at all times.

It is important that you are well prepared before the visit and have the necessary documents and information ready to be inspected. Remember, the DWP Visiting Officer is there to not only fulfil the necessary ID checks and best interest assessment but also to assist you with any questions that you may have. You should receive a letter from the DWP beforehand which will let you know the name of the Visiting Officer and date and time of the meeting. Ensure that you check their ID card when they visit also.

Unless the Visiting Officer has any concerns about your wish to become an appointee, it is likely that they will start the appointeeship process with you by completing a form called a BF57 application. Amongst information about yourself and the person you wish to be the appointee for, the BF56 application also requires the bank sort code and account number into which the welfare benefit payments will be made.

It is important that this is a separate bank account so that the money belonging to the vulnerable person you will be the appointee for is not mixed with your own money. You may also be required to provide copies of bank statements to the DWP in the future and you can open a free and dedicated Appointee Bank Account on the Monika Banking Platform from Money carer for this purpose.

The Appointee Bank Account has been designed specifically for those intending to become DWP appointee and has lots of special features designed to make things easier for you and the person you will be financially responsible for. Some of these feautes are detailed below:

• Free of Charge and simple to open
• Financial Service Compensation Scheme (FSCS) protected
• Buil-in welfare benefit check and entitlement calculator
• Store, view and share DWP letters and other documents
• Prepaid spending cards for loved ones /carers/support workers
• Biometric fingerprint activated debit cards – No PIN required
• Set up automated balance limits on accounts for safeguarding
• Get personalised suspicious payment alerts for fraud monitoring
• Use or Current Account Switch Service to transfer old account
• Interactive Secure Portal Access for Carers and Support Workers
• Entry onto the Vulnerability Registration Service database
• Access to expert support from the Money Carer Foundation

Learn more about the specialist appointee banking service and open an appointee account here

For further information about becoming a DWP appointee, please download our appointee guide for family members.

The Money Carer Current Account Switching service is a collaboration between Pay.UK, Zempler Bank, and Money Carer to provide a bank account switching service between a vulnerable person’s existing bank account to their new bank account opened for them on the Money Carer banking platform (named ‘Monika’)

This important new service will significantly simplify the process of closing and transferring bank account balances and all inbound and outbound payments from a person’s old bank account to their new bank account with Money Carer. Everything will happen within seven working days. Deputies, appointees and attorneys can all access the service free of charge from September 9th, 2024.

To become a DWP (Department for Work and Pensions) appointee in the UK, you’ll need to complete the appropriate process and provide necessary forms and documentation. Here’s an outline of what you need to know:

What is a DWP Appointee?

A DWP appointee is someone officially authorised to manage benefit claims and payments on behalf of a person who cannot do so themselves due to mental incapacity or severe physical disability.

Steps to Become a DWP Appointee

1. Contact the DWP:
   • Call the DWP to start the process. You can find the relevant contact number on the DWP’s website or in correspondence about the person’s benefits.
   • Inform them you want to become an appointee for someone.
2. DWP Interview:
   • A DWP visiting officer will arrange an interview with you and the person you want to help.
   • During the interview, they assess the situation to ensure the person cannot manage their benefits independently.
   • They’ll explain the responsibilities of being an appointee and check your suitability for the role.
3. Complete Form BF56:
   • If approved, you’ll need to complete Form BF56, which formalises your role as an appointee.
   • The DWP visiting officer will provide this form during the interview process.
4. Appointee Decision:
   • Once the DWP processes the form and approves your application, they’ll send you confirmation. You’ll then officially become the appointee.
5. Managing Benefits:
   • As an appointee, you’ll be responsible for handling all benefits-related matters for the person. This includes filling out forms, providing updates to the DWP, and using the benefits in the person’s best interest.

Key Responsibilities as an Appointee

• Open a separate appointee bank account.
• Act in the best interest of the individual.
• Inform the DWP of any changes in the person’s circumstances (e.g., hospitalisation or change of address).
• Keep records of how benefits are used.
• Notify the DWP if the person’s condition improves, and they can manage their benefits again.

Important Notes

• Being an appointee is a legal responsibility. Mismanaging funds or failing to notify the DWP of changes can lead to investigation or penalties.
• If you no longer wish to act as an appointee or the person’s circumstances change, you must inform the DWP.

Why am I getting a visit from the DWP?

The Department of Work and Pensions visiting service arranges for you to meet with one of their 450 visiting officers after you make an application to become the appointee of a vulnerable person. In that case, these are some of the things they will want to know.

1. • You are who you say you are and can prove your identity and relationship to the vulnerable person.

1. • You are a suitable and willing person to manage someone else benefit money as their benefits appointee.

1. • You have a separate appointee bank account to receive the benefit payments of the vulnerable person.

1. • You understand the financial duties and responsibilities of being someone’s benefits appointee.

1. • That you will act in the best interests of the vulnerable person at all times.

It is important that you are well prepared before the visit and have the necessary documents and information ready to be inspected. Remember, the DWP Visiting Officer is there to not only fulfil the necessary ID checks and best interest assessment but also to assist you with any questions that you may have. You should receive a letter from the DWP beforehand which will let you know the name of the Visiting Officer and date and time of the meeting. Ensure that you check their ID card when they visit also.

Unless the Visiting Officer has any concerns about your wish to become an appointee, it is likely that they will start the appointeeship process with you by completing a form called a BF57 application. Amongst information about yourself and the person you wish to be the appointee for, the BF56 application also requires the bank sort code and account number into which the welfare benefit payments will be made.

It is important that this is a separate bank account so that the money belonging to the vulnerable person you will be the appointee for is not mixed with your own money. You may also be required to provide copies of bank statements to the DWP in the future and you can open a free and dedicated Appointee Bank Account on the Monika Banking Platform from Money carer for this purpose.

The Appointee Bank Account has been designed specifically for those intending to become DWP appointee and has lots of special features designed to make things easier for you and the person you will be financially responsible for. Some of these feautes are detailed below:

• Free of Charge and simple to open
• Financial Service Compensation Scheme (FSCS) protected
• Buil-in welfare benefit check and entitlement calculator
• Store, view and share DWP letters and other documents
• Prepaid spending cards for loved ones /carers/support workers
• Biometric fingerprint activated debit cards – No PIN required
• Set up automated balance limits on accounts for safeguarding
• Get personalised suspicious payment alerts for fraud monitoring
• Use or Current Account Switch Service to transfer old account
• Interactive Secure Portal Access for Carers and Support Workers
• Entry onto the Vulnerability Registration Service database
• Access to expert support from the Money Carer Foundation

Learn more about the specialist appointee banking service and open an appointee account here

For further information about becoming a DWP appointee, please download our appointee guide for family members.

The Money Carer Current Account Switching service is a collaboration between Pay.UK, Zempler Bank, and Money Carer to provide a bank account switching service between a vulnerable person’s existing bank account to their new bank account opened for them on the Money Carer banking platform (named ‘Monika’)

This important new service will significantly simplify the process of closing and transferring bank account balances and all inbound and outbound payments from a person’s old bank account to their new bank account with Money Carer. Everything will happen within seven working days. Deputies, appointees and attorneys can all access the service free of charge from September 9th, 2024.

To become a DWP (Department for Work and Pensions) appointee in the UK, you’ll need to complete the appropriate process and provide necessary forms and documentation. Here’s an outline of what you need to know:

What is a DWP Appointee?

A DWP appointee is someone officially authorised to manage benefit claims and payments on behalf of a person who cannot do so themselves due to mental incapacity or severe physical disability.

Steps to Become a DWP Appointee

1. Contact the DWP:
   • Call the DWP to start the process. You can find the relevant contact number on the DWP’s website or in correspondence about the person’s benefits.
   • Inform them you want to become an appointee for someone.
2. DWP Interview:
   • A DWP visiting officer will arrange an interview with you and the person you want to help.
   • During the interview, they assess the situation to ensure the person cannot manage their benefits independently.
   • They’ll explain the responsibilities of being an appointee and check your suitability for the role.
3. Complete Form BF56:
   • If approved, you’ll need to complete Form BF56, which formalises your role as an appointee.
   • The DWP visiting officer will provide this form during the interview process.
4. Appointee Decision:
   • Once the DWP processes the form and approves your application, they’ll send you confirmation. You’ll then officially become the appointee.
5. Managing Benefits:
   • As an appointee, you’ll be responsible for handling all benefits-related matters for the person. This includes filling out forms, providing updates to the DWP, and using the benefits in the person’s best interest.

Key Responsibilities as an Appointee

• Open a separate appointee bank account.
• Act in the best interest of the individual.
• Inform the DWP of any changes in the person’s circumstances (e.g., hospitalisation or change of address).
• Keep records of how benefits are used.
• Notify the DWP if the person’s condition improves, and they can manage their benefits again.

Important Notes

• Being an appointee is a legal responsibility. Mismanaging funds or failing to notify the DWP of changes can lead to investigation or penalties.
• If you no longer wish to act as an appointee or the person’s circumstances change, you must inform the DWP.

The Money Carer Current Account Switching service is a collaboration between Pay.UK, Zempler Bank, and Money Carer to provide a bank account switching service between a vulnerable person’s existing bank account to their new bank account opened for them on the Money Carer banking platform (named ‘Monika’)

This important new service will significantly simplify the process of closing and transferring bank account balances and all inbound and outbound payments from a person’s old bank account to their new bank account with Money Carer. Everything will happen within seven working days. Deputies, appointees and attorneys can all access the service free of charge from September 9th, 2024.