Gaining access to money when unable to go to branch

Fabwitch

My Grandad has savings with Santander but he is currently in hospital following a fall and has broken arm and shoulder, he can no longer walk at all now as he is too week.. He wants to take some money out of his account but santander have refused saying he has to come into branch. This is an imposabilty as he is so frail and from hospital is going into sheltered accomodation . They have asked for his passport or driving licence as proof, but his last passport expired 1996 and he has never had a driving licence, as Grandad is 96 going abroad or learning to drive a car is a imposability too. Power of eterniry is not required as he has all his facalities but is just to week to travel anywhere. Please has anyone anyb ideas how i can deal with this problem for my grandad?

jem16

You don't have to have Power of Attorney for just lacking mental faciulties. My friend has POA for her aunt as she is not able to get about but has full mental faculties.

opinions4u

Power of attorney should be obtained PRIOR to somebody "losing their marbles". So now is the time to arrange this. While hopefully his mind will remain strong, if it does deteriorate you will no longer be able to obtain POA and will need to rely on the rather expensive Court of Protection. As it happens I have POA for my wife's affairs and she for mine. We've no intention of ever using them, but if something unfortunate does happen they will prove very useful. Possibly more important than having a will.

As for the current situation, Santander should have a copy of his signature somewhere. They should also be able to accept a written authority from him. I would suggest pointing this out and reminding them of their obligations under the Disability Discrimination Act may help move things along.

If he has a current account somewhere, Santander may be more willing to allow the withdrawal required if it is made by cheque payable to Grandad. He could then clear it through his bank and spend as he sees fit from there.

Good luck.