Looking after disabled persons money

Juststuckabit

Hi. I was the previous carer for my younger brother (now 18) who suffers from severe learning difficulties. A bit of background info to all who can help or advise. While my brother was living with me, I was classed as his appointee and received his DLA into my account which I then used to pay for clothes and activities etc. I had to put him into local authority care as his behaviour became unmanageable and violent on a residential order only. Throughout this, I still received his payments and these were managed with support from the care home staff. Once he turned 18 years old, he then moved back in with my mother (who also has learning difficulties but not as severe). My younger brother is currently claiming Job seekers allowance and has been since August 2012. At this point, I still recieve his DLA but pay it towards his rent/board and food. He does not understand the value of money and spends his job seekers (£172 every two weeks) within a few days. Mainly on cannabis from what we can see. I transfer his rent and food money to my mother. He pays £42 a week towards rent and bills and then has £30 a week to spend on food. My mother has been letting him have bits of the shopping money resulting in him eating the food my mother buys as he has no money from the shopping budget to buy. They both have separate shopping as neither eat what the other eats. My main question is that is there any organisation who can look after a persons money (mainly his job seekers) if they suffer from learning difficulties? The reason being is because when he is told no he cannot have money from the shopping budget for the gym/football match etc, he becomes violent and destructive. We have tried drilling into him that he needs to save money from his jobseekers, but he just does not get it. I would quite happily have his jobseekers paid into my account to manage it, but then he just will not sign on. Here is another question, as his appointee, can I sign on for him on his behalf if he does not attend?

It all sounds complicated but I am mainly trying to eradicate family members looking after his money as it always causes arguements.

Any help is greatly appreciated on this matter.:)

Ziggazee

You could also become his Appointee for his other benefits if he is not capable of dealing with his affairs.

If you really want to eliminate family dealing with things then it might be worth speaking with his social worker (if he has one) to investigate the local authority taking over his Appointeeship.

Dippypud

http://www.kirklees.gov.uk/

Have a looky at your local council support for disabled persons ...

cazankev

Have you thought about becoming his advocate or asking for one to be appointed,try contacting an advocacy service in your own area,the social services sometimes appoint their own.I think their are mental health advocates.Good luck.

Errata

My main question is that is there any organisation who can look after a persons money (mainly his job seekers) if they suffer from learning difficulties?

Local authorities are the Appointee of last resort, so they could do it.