When a loved one is unable to manage their own finances due to age, disability or mental health challenges, it can be overwhelming to find the best solution. They still have bills and daily expenses to be paid, but their vulnerabilities may heighten their risk of missing payments or experiencing financial exploitation. An appointeeship service allows a trusted organisation or individual to help manage benefits and other financial matters on behalf of someone who may struggle to do so themselves.
If you’re exploring options for a family member or friend who needs financial support, an appointeeship service could be the right solution. Find out more about how it works, who it’s for, and how to get started.
What is the role of the Appointeeship?
An appointeeship is a legal arrangement which allows a nominated person or organisation to have the authority to manage the financial affairs of someone who may be unable to do so themselves. This includes paying bills, handling bank accounts, and claiming benefits on their behalf.
A trusted organisation, such as a council or charity, or an individual, like a family member or close friend, can be appointed. However, there may be some cases where a conflict of interest or general issues may arise, so a third-party service would be advantageous to the individual who requires assistance.
Contact Sova Healthcare to find out how your friendly regional team can arrange a personalised approach to Appointeeship.
Who needs an appointeeship?
An appointeeship may be necessary for individuals who:
- Have dementia or cognitive decline, making financial management difficult
- Live with learning disabilities or brain injuries affecting their decision-making abilities
- Experience mental health conditions that prevent them from handling money responsibly
What responsibilities does an appointeeship include?
- Claiming benefits on behalf of the individual
- Paying rent, bills, and care costs
- Budgeting for daily living expenses
- Reporting any financial changes to the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), including:
- Savings exceeding £6,000 for people of working age
- Savings exceeding £10,000 for people of retirement age
- If savings are approaching £16,000, which may affect eligibility
Sova Healthcare stays in close contact with you and creates the apointeeship service around the individual’s lifestyle. This includes taking their personal goals into account and ensuring their finances and spending are managed in a way that supports your loved one’s happiness and well-being.
The benefits of an apointeeship service
With an appointeeship service from Sova Healthcare, you receive:
- Direct communication with the DWP to manage benefits smoothly
- Personalised financial support tailored to your loved one’s needs
- Assistance with daily expenses including care home fees
- Expert advice on financial management and safeguarding
- Ongoing collaboration with families, carers, and social workers
- Expense cards for personal carers, covering essentials like food and transport
- Financial safeguarding measures to protect against exploitation
Are you looking for a personalised appointeeship programme?
Unsure if an appointeeship service is right for your situation? Contact the Sova Healthcare team who can help tailor specialist care services to you.