bank account for severely learning disabled

Mandymull

i have a 17 year old daugther with SLD and we went via our solicitor to court and have bene awarded a Court of protection order for Emily so we can handle her monetary affairs..it was not difficult to do and are releived that we have done it. We were adviced by SW, and two diffferent banks that this was the safest way..
HTH
Mandy

parapusher

Thank you everyone for your help, it's good to hear other people's experiences.
Lynne

newmee

As a SW I have written letters to banks explaining that they are discriminating and that they need to be creative in finding a solution for the person with a SLD. It's just nonsense. They have soon 'found ways'!!!! For example, if their own Bank Manager was in a freak accident and had their hands chopped off and were no longer able to sign....would they close his account...I think not!! Challenge and get backing (if possible) in writing. ID is the most common problem, so the more you have the better, passport especially.
Good luck.

shagpuss

My 16 year old son is autistic but we were able to open a bank account for him with our local Barclays and access online banking -as you can guess, computers are absolutely NO problem for him! The staff were extremely helpful and although the account is only in his name, I have admin. access so I can go in and order a paying in book etc without him being there. His passport was the only ID we needed and obviously it helps that he can sign his name. Online banking is the answer to our problems - telephone banking being completely out of the question as my son needs to see the other person's facial expressions to interpret what is being said.
I sympathise wholeheartedly with the problems people are having. It just seems everything is geared up to cause maximum problems, complications and frustrations for those with any kind of disability or learning difficulty.
Good luck!

belisha-beacon

Although you can't get power of attorney for someone who can't understand the ramifications of it, you can apply to the Court of Protection which can appoint a Deputy to manage the affairs of a person. This is split into two parts - the financial affairs, and the health & care affairs, you can apply for either or both. If there is enough evidence, there often isn't even a court hearing, the judge will just look at the documentation (eg. if you have a letter from your son's doctors explaining his condition) and appoint the most appropriate person/people, which is probably you.

Even if you don't need this now, I really would advise looking into doing it in the future as it will make things so much easier, you will only have to prove who you are, not who your son is, but all of his money will be regarded as his for the purposes of benefit calculations and so on.

trace2197

Hi there I have a brother with severe learning disabilities & my mum and I were granted a joint guardianship order last year. This gives us full welfare and financial control of his life because he can't. Basically it means we now operate any legal rights he has. With this we were able to open bank accounts etc. It was all done through a solicitor and because my brother only has his benefits as income we were granted full legal aid costs to complete the paperwork etc whihc would otherwise have been £2000 - £3000. It also means that if anything happens to mum - I have full legal control over his life and no-one can step in & make changes to his life without me agreeing. Our solicitor was fantastic & very helpful. If anyone need more info please don't hesitate to ask.
Tracey:rotfl:

tin143

Hi Lynne
I was able to open a basic bank account for my disabled daughter at HSBC, but my name is on it aswell. The account name states that I act as her appointee. Had passport but as mentioned before they should accept various other forms of ID. She also has a cash card and I can access it online. Hope that helps.

Martina

brogusblue

Hello

I look after all out money in our household thats my mums pension and dla also my carers allowance, I was getting stung for failed dd's with the nationwide and my nephew suggested "Think Banking" They are online and telephone bank underwritten by RBS they charge £25.00 to setup and £12.50 per month but in my view this excellent has they look after you personally your account is 2 accounts salaries and card and what they do is any money for bills they take that from your money and put it in one account and put the rest on your maestro debit card they text you when your moneys in and also you can text for a balance anytime, I have been with them since june 08 and never had a problem.

There is no credit checks,no overdraft fees.
www.thinkbanking.co.uk/

Cheers
Brogusblue

MaryA

Having recently begun taking responsibility for my brother, 53 years old so everything has previously been in his mother's name, I've encountered no end of problems trying to speak with official departments, such as Department of Work and Pensions etc. I have now made enquiries about Power of Attorney and have found that the Office of the Public Guardian was exceptionally helpful. They did tell me that there were cost implications for the procedure, but if brother is in receipt of benefits then he would be entitled to it for free, so application should be made in his name with full explanation given, as this would be read in Court. At the end of it all it will be the Court who makes this decision, not a cut and dried decision by somebody having no knowledge of the individual circumstances.

Other residents where he lives are also in the process of opening bank accounts with LloydsTSB who say that they can assist with even those who are unable to speak/write for themselves.

As I said, I'm only in the process of all of this so can't confirm it's accuracy, but hope it helps somebody.

matthew_dougherty

Hi,

I work in a care home for 10 adults with learning disabilities. Lloyds TSB have opened accounts for all our residents. They are in their name but another person is a signatory on the account. It might be worth giving them a go.

Gd Luck