Account for mother in law

superM

Hello, 

My mother in law has a dementia and I am her DWP appointee. Her pension and attendance allowance goes into my account. 

I tried to open Halifax account for her some.months. Account was opened then blocked and they asked to go with photographic ID. Unfortunately due to her ill health I could not take her, the application expired and account was closed. 

I recently tried to open Lloyds account for her. I explained the account to her and the application.  This account was also opened and blocked.  

I went into the branch today with my mother in law with photographic ID.  The branch contacted the relevant team but she went into allot more details than required. I knew that will happen the way she answered the call. 

She spoke with my mother in law but she had limited English. She is 82 years old grown in village abroad so not educated. 

She managed to answer all the question but then she asked for her age. She could not answer that.  The village she grown up never celebrates birthdays. Although time has changed now with the new generations. 

She asked who applied for the account. I said I helped my mother in law with the account application. Then she asked where her benefits been paid in. I said the benefits are paid into my account because I am DWP appointed person and I am trying to get Power of Attorney for her.

She said will I be the signatory on the account. Yes this something I would like to arrange once account has been fully opened.  


She then asked DWP letter confirming I am her appointee, her pension credit letter and attendance allowance letter. Both letters are addressed to me but clearly shows it's her benefits. 

I wonder if there would be any problems? 

Only photographic ID was required but she just went into allot more details than required. 

Thanks  

Brie

When my MiL was hospitalised but still able to deal with things I got the bank to send a rep to the hospital and they were able to set up third party authority for me on MiL's account.  Made things much easier as I could do all the online banking, was given my own debit card so could get cash out for her etc.  Is that an option for you to add on if needed?

superM

Brie said:

When my MiL was hospitalised but still able to deal with things I got the bank to send a rep to the hospital and they were able to set up third party authority for me on MiL's account.  Made things much easier as I could do all the online banking, was given my own debit card so could get cash out for her etc.  Is that an option for you to add on if needed?

That might be an option once the account is fully running. I am sure once Power of Attorney has been granted, the bank should be able to add me a signatory on the account. 

It just the telephone conversation went in a way that I was being investigated that got me worried. I also hold Lloyds account so don't want any problems. 

elsien

You can’t have a third-party mandate on an account for someone who lacks  capacity around their finances.  I’m sure I’ve said this to Brie several times before. 

How much of her own money is your mother-in-law able to manage? If you want to be transparent, you could set up an account in your own name which only your mother-in-law’s money going into it.  And then, depending on what she’s able/wants to do, you could get cash or a prepaid card so she could manage the day-to-day stuff herself? 

There is no issue with benefit money going into an account in your name. 

 You need to be very careful about opening a bank account in her name because if you don’t get power of attorney for whatever reason you cannot then access that money when she no longer has capacity around running the account. And if she can’t remember security details, it seems to me she’s already on that borderline. 

superM

I am just worried in case Lloyds has put a Cifas in my name.  Will that be allowed if they do that.  My mother in law was in the branch with me with IDs, etc, so there is no reason to be a fraudulent application.

I have requested my CIFAS report just now. For some reason, they did not go through electronic verification but asked to supply documents  which I did during the application. Documents were verified electronically. 

I also received an email from Zing that they have frozen my account for routine review. I haven't used this account since I opened it. 

It is just worrying me any advise will be much appreciated. 

Thanks

superM

The email I received from Zing: 

We’re reviewing your account.

We continually do routine and compliance reviews of our members’ accounts. For your safety and security, we’ve frozen your account while we take a look. 

While we do this, you won’t be able to access your account or debit card. Please take a look at our terms and conditions for more information. 

We know it’s inconvenient to temporarily lose access to your account, and we appreciate your understanding. We may reach out for more information to help us review your account faster. 

I haven't used the account so I don't know the reason why the account being reviewed.