Help in paying a bill for a sick man.

royP_2

My brother in law who is single has Parkinson's which means he cannot speak very well and what he can say is a whisper, he also is unable to write.
He has been in a nursing home for the past 2 months for which he has just received his first bill, question is how can he access his Barclays bank account to pay because these days he is unable to sign a cheque [which is how he used to pay any bills], he has no computer to do it online, he can no longer visit a bank, what other means are left to him?
He also does not have any Lasting Power of Attorney's either which is another problem.
Any thoughts would be welcome, thanks.

Archie_Duke

He should be assisted as soon as possible to set up a financial and welfare enduring/lasting power of attorney, otherwise this will remain an issue month after month for any payments he needs to make. Once that’s done the person that holds the authority of the E/LPA can review and streamline with standing orders or direct debits.
The Barclays banking app has a relatively new video banking function which may help overcome the difficulties with speech.

Brie

He should be able to do it all via telephone banking but that may require him to have a mobile.  Or at least access to one.  

Alternatively there's no reason he can't use someone else's computer.  If you have a laptop or good tablet it may very well be possible that way.  

Once he is in contact somehow with Barclays he should ask to have them set up someone to have 3rd party access to his account to assist him.  I did this for my MiL for her NatWest account.  Someone from the branch actually came and visited her when she was in hospital to get all the bits signed and to check ID etc.  Pre-covid but other banks should surely have this service.  If not in person then video banking (via a tablet) should be possible.  

As for the LPOA there's no reason he can't get this sorted.  Again should be easy enough to do online with some assistance from you/a friend with a laptop.  Or ring a local solicitor to visit to sort it.

Daliah

Have a look at Barclays Third Party Access information .

Until that is sorted, can you, or another relative, pay the bill?

elsien

Can the care home not support him with online access if he already has that set up? Most homes now have some sort of tablet if he’s physically able to use it.
I agree he needs to do an LPA while he’s still able. Sadly his physical difficulties are only going to get worse. 

On another note, has he looked to see if he’s eligible for health funding? 

Clueless56

I suggest you contact Age Concern and/or My Life My Care and see what assistance they can provide in signposting you and your uncle to apps/services etc. to allow him to continue to manage his own finances.  Does your uncle want to retain as much independence as he can, despite the limitations of his illness?  If so, it is kindest to support him to do that rather than take over from him.  I agree that encouraging him to do an LPA as soon as possible for when he can no longer manage by himself with support is important, but his independence doesn't have to fall off a cliff necessarily.  

greyteam1959

The nursing home could set up a Direct Debit to collect the money.

royP_2

Thank you all for your replies, I will follow up on a few of these and see how we get on.
Thanks again.