bank accounts for learning disabilities

screwdriver9uk

I work in a residential home for learning disabled clients of many types of disabilities, some have relatives that look after their finances and financial needs quite well, however some either have no relatives or are never seen from one year to the next. I am not critisising this just putting the facts.

We have a problem that we are only allowed to keep a limited amount of money in the home due to security , and when we have to raise some money for a individual it can take days or even weeks to arrive especially in cash.

They are also supposed to be allowed to be able to live like everyone else regarding lifestyles etc but try and open a bank account for them and it is virtually impossible. So if we require some extra ordinary finances for them we have to plan weeks ahead. So much for living in society and having choice.

Living in the residential home means they do not have listing regarding council taxes or voting, no credit checks reveal them, and birth certificates cant be used for identification after 16 yrs of age. They either cant get a passport or have to pay I believe nearly £80 for the privilige and even then there is no guarantee of a bank account as their is always something else that blocks their rite to one.

I even went to a bank with one learning disability user, who is quite able to speak for themselves and is 54 yrs of age and we sat their with a adviser for nearly two hours and he contacted all the agencies and he finally gave up.

His payments have gone through his brothers bank account for as long as can be remembered, there is always an argument between them when he wishes to purchase anything, even as small as a pipe that cost £24, he hasnt had a holiday for many years other than a odd day away, and he constantly asks why he cant have an account with his own money in it. If anyone can explain this and resolve this we would be grateful because all we get when we try is that you cant do that because, Im afraid the because is getting a bit of a pain to listen too.

And when you resolve this one we have another 14 people in a similar situation.

Might i add they only want a passbook acount, not a card or anything like that we can take them to a branch and they can overlook any monies withdrawn, we and they dont want anything that can be abused by anyone.
All they want is the rites of eveyone else in this country

Be_Happy

There seem to be a few problems here, especially with the resident whose money is going into his brother's account.

My sister has Downs Syndrome and I have Power of Attorney for her. I was able to open a POA account for her at the bank with no problem and her benefits were paid in there. (I had to have a home visit from a representative from the Benefits Agency and be approved as my sister's 'appointee' to receive her benefits.)

In December she moved into a Local Authority residential home (only 4 residents) and at this point the home manager was approved as her 'appointee' and took over dealing with her benefits. At the same time a bank account was opened by the Local Authority in trust for my sister. Her money goes into this account now and any time she needs cash (or the home needs cash from her) a carer takes her to the bank to withdraw money.

I should add that all money handled for the residents is audited by several different levels of staff, so there is complete security.

shawbarbara

i manage a residential unit -- some of the residents manage their money/benefits with the help of their families --- others open a bank account in their own name it takes some negiation with our local bank (it has become more difficult for the bank due to ever changing regulations) but if the bank gets to know the home etc they are willing to work with them --- we have openned accounts with birth certificates/medical cards and evidence from home to say the person is a resident.

Savvy_Sue

I wonder if it is worth the OP talking to the Public Guardian's Office about this? I know they are more often thought of in relation to people who can't manage money at all, but it seems to me they may be able to offer advice.

seven-day-weekend

I had exactly the same problem openening an account for my mother, with myself as Joint Account Holder.

She had no passport or driving licence, no utiltiy bells, no council tax bill. The Building Society said she could not prove her address. They said why didn't I open the account with just my name on? I sid because it would be HER money going into it, and she would keep the passbook, my name was only going to be on it in case she ever needed me to draw some out for her.

In the end I think they reluctantly accepted a printout from the Home which showed her listed as a resident there.

I was angry about it and feel sorry for your residents, especially the one who can speak for himself and quite rightly wants his own account.

In this information age, why is it not possible for people in residential homes to open an account?

Makes me mad. It treats them like second-class citizens.

Rant over, and sorry I can't help further.