Debit card for learning disability

parentmuddle

Hi, looking for possibly a pre paid debit card for my daughter 30 who has a learning disability. She is unable to budget and tends to have lots of friends when she has money (if you know what I mean). With more shops only taking cards I think this is the way to go for her. Any help or ideas please. 

Malkytheheed

I don't think you can specifically find a card for this purpose? and what would it actually do? what features would it have? soem advise here - https://www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk/en/articles/help-someone-informally-with-budgeting-and-day-to-day-money

penners324

Starling bank is probably the way to go. They have a Connected Card that operates like pre paid card. You can only have a maximum of £200 on the Connected card / space

Old_Lifer

Most pre-paid  cards tend to have either a monthly fee or a small charge per purchase.

Your daughter may prefer to bank on the high street where there is a physical bank.  

She could have two bank accounts, neither with an overdraft facility.  .  A main account for the receipt of benefits and a second account for spending.     A standing order  could be set-up drawn on the main account  and transfering   £x   to  her spending account each week.      I  assume  if  she tries to overspend on  the spending account, the card would simply be declined.   You should check that in that situation no charges would be levied.

Polarpenguin

penners324 said:

Starling bank is probably the way to go. They have a Connected Card that operates like pre paid card. You can only have a maximum of £200 on the Connected card / space

https://www.starlingbank.com/features/connected-shopping-card/  
I agree with penners324  Starling Bank's connected card was my 1st thought when I read the OP.

gt94sss2

RBS/NatWest also have a similar card to Starling - https://www.rbs.com/rbs/news/2020/04/natwest--royal-bank-of-scotland-and-ulster-bank-launch-card-for-.html

Torry_Quine

I would suggest contacting Mencap who must have experienced this issue before.

cymruchris

If given the freedom of a card, but with limited funds, how would she react to being somewhere trying to buy something, and then being told 'No - card declined'? Just a thought. You didn't specify the particular challenges you face, but this scenario could be a worry?

Old_Lifer

As  cymruchris  says,  we do not know the extent of the disability.    It is the mother who has suggested a debit  card in her post,  so she must think her daughter can handle one.   This also indicates that the daughter has some ability with money.

Perhaps the daughter  is trying to   buy  approval  and friendship   by spending money on these 'friends'.    When the cash dries-up, the fairweather friends will go and the true friends will remain.

michaela1979

Mi-spend has been specifically set up for people with learning disabilities and cognitive impairments 
www.mi-spend.co.Uk 

cx6

This may help?

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6326728/tesco-launches-new-pre-paid-debit-card-and-linked-savings-account#latest