Becoming an Appointee!

Many thanks for information given to date.

The ‘appointee’ meeting has now taken place and was quite straight forward. The DWP representative answered all queries and concerns and explained pretty much all.

However, in addition to the above and previous posts, I have 2 final questions. The 1st surrounds the fact the person from DWP said that I would now be receiving the correspondence from AA dept, pension service etc. They also explained a few further responsibilities and gave me paperwork to read at my leisure. Bearing this in mind, although haven’t received any correspondence, do I now deem myself to be ‘the appointee’ from what has already taken place?

My 2nd query touches upon information I had been given and has been mentioned in previous post. This is, will my Mother definitely receive some form of award of AA because of what has transpired to date (specifically the appointee meeting)?

Would the DWP go to all the trouble of going through the motions of an ‘appointee interview’ if no award was ever to be made, or can we take it that an award for AA is definitely on its way?


Many thanks again for clarification given. I will in due course post the result, whatever that might be.

francis

Hi Francis the best advice I can give you is to get in touch with www.carersuk.og they have lots of information on their website and also an advice line - tel number - 0808 808 7777 they should be better to advice re the benefits and help for yourself and mother.
All the very best.
Meg

As always, many thanks for your input.

The ‘interview’ for being accepted as ‘appointee’ has now taken place & am receiving post on behalf of my mother. I should 1st explain that my mother has been award AA at the higher rate. I have received notification of this. This is done in the way that DWP post relating to my mothers award along with correspondence from DWP for pension and pension credit are now addressed to me BUT bearing my mothers NI number. The letters clearly explain that ‘the information contained within the letter is about the person for who you have been made appointee’.

So I will expect plenty of brown envelopes over the next couple of months. Again, if my mother was to receive these letters from the DWP, especially bearing in mind the phraseology and terms they use, there would be no way of my mother comprehending the 1st paragraph, never mind the ensuing 4,5,6, pages and their contents.

What I wanted to impart is that the ‘interview’ was informal and all aspects were explained. The main reason for posting and for general information, it is not always the case where the appointee ‘receives the benefits’ or ‘has to have them paid into the appointee account’ for these to be spent by appointee on behalf of claimant.

All monies in this case, are still paid into my mothers account, remain her monies, which she has complete control.

In fact, the whole reason why (as it was explained at interview) DWP ‘prefer’ an appointee, is quite simply, that in time to come and if that time arises, for those who are awarded AA for mental health problems, including memory problems, dementia, alzheimers, is so the appointee is able to inform DWP of any change of circumstances that may arise, that if not reported by person awarded AA, there may be a case of an ‘overpayment’ arising.

This brings me to the added point that DWP, in this particular case, prefer appointee to at least arrange ‘third party mandate’ with the claimant and claimant bank account. This 3rd party mandate, shared by claimant and appointee, is solely for the DWP benefit, that in the case an overpayment, that the appointee has the ability to authorise such monies to be ‘paid back’ to DWP, if overpayment occurs.

It was also made clear that being an ‘appointee’ is strictly between, appointee and DWP, and no other bodies.

An example of how a possible overpayment could occur was given by lady from DWP, she explained that in the case of my mother going into hospital for any length of time exceeding 4 weeks, then advised to inform at the 3rd week so AA overpayment does not occur after the 4th week stage. It was also confirmed that whilst AA in not payable from 5th week in hospital, once claimant is back home, AA is re-instated and not have to be re-applied. Other obvious information was given.

The reason for my 1st post on this subject was due to conflicting information. So, when the DWP website says that appointee has to receive benefits on behalf of claimant and make sure they are spent correctly, (my fear was that it end up, I think I used the phrase ‘giving my mother spending money’, then this would not be the case as I would not be willing to be an appointee on this basis), however, this is not necessary in all cases.

I hope I have explained and, if it would make it easier, the mods are more than welcome to edit, to get main points and experience across.

Whilst giving my impression of ‘an appointee’ and understanding what is required of me, are there any other, lesser known points that I may come across, or should matters be fairly simple/straightforward (or at least as I dare hope bearing all facts in mind!)?

Many thanks again for advice and assistance given.