Trying to open a bank account but no ID

BrownGirl

I'm trying to help my niece to open a bank account as we're trying to apply for Universal Credit for her and she needs a bank account to receive the payments.  The problem is she has no ID.

She's 30 and receives PIP because of a disability but that is paid into her mums account and all letters are addressed to her mum.  She lives at home so has no utility bills.  She doesn't drive or have a passport. 

She has her birth certificate and an NI number.  She was born in England and has lived here all her life.  She hasn't worked or claimed benefits since leaving school (apart from the PIP mentioned above). 

Does anyone know how what we can do please?

Daliah

All banks publish their Id requirements online, so you can check what is required by her preferred bank. Not having her Benefit letters addressed to herself could be an issue (for instance, what would she do when her mum dies??), which should be resolved asap. Does she have a DWP caseworker? If not, perhaps she should get one. They should then be able to help her get a bank account.

Ebe_Scrooge

What ID are the bank saying they require?  Logically, there are plenty of people who don't have either a passport or a driving licence, so I can't see that being an issue in itself.  Will the birth certificate and NI number not suffice?  I guess an NHS number might be another form of ID.  But what are the bank saying they need?  If a birth certificate is not sufficient (which sounds surprising to me, but who knows), then they must have a standard list of acceptable forms of ID.

Or is the problem that she can't "prove" her address?  If that's the issue, is she registered on the Electoral Roll?  That's usually accepted as proof of address.

BrownGirl

Thanks very much for the quick replies. 

I looked at the ID lists for both Barclay's and Santander but neither included birth certs.  They include various types of photo ID, utility and council tax bills, HMRC letter or notification of enrolment on electoral roll which must be less than 3 months old. 

I don't think she has a DWP case worker but I'll get her mum to contact them, thanks for the suggestion, maybe they'll be able to send her a letter confirming arrangements for PIP payment which would probably do for the bank account. 

Intention is to transfer PIP payments into new account once its set up so her finances are seperate from her mums. 

Ebe_Scrooge

Might be worth phoning the bank up as well.  The lists of acceptable ID that are published will be set up to allow a quick and easy "computer says yes/no" application.  But it's quite possible that if you can (somehow!!) manage to speak to a human being and explain your particular situation, there may well be a relatively simple way of getting the account set up.  I wouldn't like to make any promises, but I would think there's nothing lost by giving it a go and seeing what they say.

PRAISETHESUN

In my experience, bank branches have some discretion (but not too much) as to what ID they can deem acceptable. It might be worthwhile making an appointment to discuss your options. Outside of that, having a look their websites as suggested above as to what ID the banks deem acceptable seems like a good starting point. Letters from DWP and HMRC are easy enough to get if you're already in their systems and can be used and proof of ID for a lot of things.

username

Years ago I had this issue when trying to change my youth account to a 'proper' current account with debit card, when I had turned 18 and didn't have a passport.

I was ushered into a side room in the bank and they had a list of alternative items which they could accept, and the guy was quite helpful. It probably helped that I had been a client of the bank since I was a child with the youth account.

If I recall, I had a certificating letter from my college (with stamp), NI card, payslips and HMRC documentation.

I don't know how tight they are now as regards requirements, and I was 18 a long time ago (!).

I would certainly say a passport and driver's license are a worthwhile investment, even if you don't necessarily plan to travel abroad or drive in the near future.

Places will want to see ID and to present one or two of these makes the process much easier.

Daliah

BrownGirl said:

I looked at the ID lists for both Barclay's and Santander but neither included birth certs.  They include various types of photo ID, utility and council tax bills, HMRC letter or notification of enrolment on electoral roll which must be less than 3 months old. 

I don't think she has a DWP case worker but I'll get her mum to contact them, thanks for the suggestion, maybe they'll be able to send her a letter confirming arrangements for PIP payment which would probably do for the bank account. 

Intention is to transfer PIP payments into new account once its set up so her finances are seperate from her mums. 

Santander accept "Notification of entitlement to UK Government or Local Authority pension or benefits" - so that seems an avenue to pursue, as your friend is in receipt of a benefit, and the communication about it should really be addressed to her, in any case.

If her disability is such that she is unable to administer this sort of communication, she is unlikely to be able to administer a bank account and she really needs a permanent Guardian, other than her mum, as she needs someone who is there when her mum isn't or can't any longer. If the situation is that serious, someone with an LPA, and/or the DWP must get involved.

HobgoblinBT

 My mentally handicapped brother in law was accepted to open a Barclays account with his benefits letter even though it was addressed to his brother at the same address.  His address was confirmed from an electoral roll search.

Ms_Chocaholic

Can she apply for a provisional driving licence, it might get round the problem.

BrownGirl

Thanks for all your replies and suggestions.  We are going to try the HMRC and Benefits people to see if they will send her something in her name and sort out who receives the letters in future. 

Hobgoblin - that's good to know, thanks.  She has a PIP letter in mum's name which explains who the benefit is for but we weren't sure if they'd accept it. We'll try that if we struggle with the other two options.

Much appreciated everyone x