Management of Personal Financial Affairs
In a very limited number of cases we can assist Adults (under the Adults with Incapacity (Scotland) Act 2000) who may be living in their own home or a residential home and who are having difficulty managing their own affairs and have no family members to undertake this for them. We can do this is a number of ways:
Allows whoever has been appointed to do certain one-off things e.g. signing legal documents or to sell the person's house or sign forms agreeing where someone can live.
Allows someone to make ongoing financial and/or welfare decisions for someone such as paying for bills or making ongoing decisions about someone's care.
If the person is unable to administer their Benefits then the DWP can appoint someone else to act on their behalf. This is usually a relative or friend but can be an organisation such as a care home or solicitors firm.
We cannot make application to act on behalf of the adult for the following but can offer guidance on how friends / relatives could apply:
This allows the adult's account to be used for everyday living expenses and can be used to make payments for or set up Direct Debit arrangements for utility bills, rent, council tax, care fees etc.
The Adult can only apply for a POA if they have capacity to manage their owns affairs. A POA is a document that allows a nominated person to make decisions about money or property (Continuing Power of Attorney) in the event of the Adults incapacity in the future. To make decisions about health or personal welfare a (Welfare Power of Attorney) is required.
Further information can be found on www.publicguardian-scotland.gov.uk