Best account for id - post office?

lisyloo

I look after my folks money, they are 82 & 83 and can't get about too well due to disability.

We want a decent savings rate and I am thinkig of looking at the post office account.
The reason being that it needs to be somewhere they can get to fairly easily to take in their id and the post office will be local and familiar to them.

Does anyone know what the post office are like with ID?
I think I read an anecdote about them wanting certified id.

My MIL has sever arthritis. she can walk small distance with a stick or walker and sometimes uses a wheelchair.
My 83 year old FIL is not fit enough to push the wheelchair.

Hence it's a real nightmare to run around to solicitors, printers (for photcopies) etc.
Family help but we all work during office hours.

Does anyone know what the post office is like for id?
They shoudl be able to take their originals to a post office, but if they want certified copies then that will be harder.

ses6jwg

I don't know about Post Office.... but I work for Santander and typically for elderly people with no driving license/ passport the ID we use is:

List 1:
- Letter from DWP/ The Pension Service about showing entitlement to State Pension/ Pension Credits/ Winter Fuel Payment

List 2:
- Recent bank statement
- Council tax letter
- Other correspondence from DWP/ TPS

Then for the impersonation check we use a bank card with a signature or a bus pass.

If they are in a care home we have to raise an exception and then a letter from the care home manager confirming they are resident can be used.

Stompa

lisyloo wrote: »

Does anyone know what the post office is like for id?

Well they opened an account for me without requesting any ID.

ses6jwg

It depends whether they pick them up electronically from the electoral roll or not.

calypso_rhapsody

Most internet accounts now use the electoral role for ID so, so long as they are on the role i think you will find you can open an account without ID ... Are they up to using internet banking? - sounds as if it would be ideal with their mobility problems.

lisyloo

but I work for Santander and typically for elderly people with no driving license/ passport the ID we use is:

Thanks.
They have passports. That's not the issue.

The issue is the "running around" to the library/printers to use a photocopier, to a solicitors/bank to get a certified copy, then back to the bank to take in the id.
Visiting one place would be ok, but runing round to 2 or 3 places is not an option.

Are they up to using internet banking? - sounds as if it would be ideal with their mobility problems.

Not a chance.
They have difficulty operating any new simple applicance I'm afraid.

I do operate internet banking on their behalf, but sometimes ID is required to set up the account in the first place.

From what a lot of you have said it looks like there may be less requirement for this if they are picked up electronically, so let's hope it works out like that.

Stompa

lisyloo wrote: »

From what a lot of you have said it looks like there may be less requirement for this if they are picked up electronically, so let's hope it works out like that.

These days I tend to just try opening an account, if they don't ask for ID then fine, if they do then I don't proceed further with the application.

soulsaver

Stompa wrote: »

These days I tend to just try opening an account, if they don't ask for ID then fine, if they do then I don't proceed further with the application.

Yep... and watch for the ones that let you put money in... and ask for proof of ID before you can transact on the account.

calypso_rhapsody

You should not need to get a certified copy of the passport if your parents are going to the bank - the bank clerk will in effect do that certification herself. So would be just one visit not 3.

But online is definitely easier from an ID check point of view. For example i've just opened Lloyds Vantage accounts and the ID check was electronic and done in seconds. Not sure if a Vantage account would suit their needs but you get my point - it can be done electronically.

G_M

Are the parents going in themselves to open the account? If so, just take as much as possible of originals to show: passport, Tax letter, DWP, driving licence, cheque book etc etc.

If they want copies, they'll make copies themselves and return the original to you.

lisyloo

Are the parents going in themselves to open the account?

Ideally not.
My MIL is now getting past the point of walking with a stick, she needs a zimmer frame and cannot do any steps. Her left knee which is severely arthritic may give way at any time and cause her to fall, hence the need for a frame.
My FIL (82) has COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder) and cannot push her in a wheelchair.

I would rather they didn't go to the bank themselves as I cannot rely on them to remember everything (she leaves the taps on and things in the cooker). If they forget something then they'll have to go back.
Hopefully the difficulties are now obvious.
Son & daughter both work full time during the week.

I have just applied for a post office account on-line.
It recognises my MIL who handles all the finances and has credit cards, but it wants ID for my FIL who presumably has insufficient on-line ID.
The want certified ID to be sent off (I was hoping they could pop into a post office but it appears not).
This is a problem.

Anyone any further ideas?
I guess I could open an account in her name only, but that's not really ideal.