Appointees

If you are ill, disabled or you have special needs you might need to appoint someone to look after your affairs and help you claim the benefits that you are entitled to.

When you become unable to adequately look after your affairs due to age, illness, disability or due to other special needs, you may appoint someone to deal with your claim for benefits. This person we call an Appointee.

An appointee can be nominated to act on your behalf for a temporary period whilst you are overcoming illness or temporary disability, or permanently if your circumstances are likely to continue or worsen.

Who can act as my appointee?

There are three groups of people who can act as your appointee:

  1. A receiver appointed by the Court of Protection with the power to claim or receive payments;
  2. An attorney appointed by the Powers of Attorney Act;
  3. A person over the age of 18 years, who makes a written request to the Council to become your appointee.

The first two groups are legally recognised appointees and the Council will automatically treat them as your appointee, however the later group does not have the same legal status can the Council will may seek further information about the person before making a decision as to whether they can act on your behalf.

How do I become an appointee?

Ideally we like the claimant to give written authorisation that they would like another person to act on their behalf. If the claimant is able to provide authorisation we will need to know who the appointee is, where they live, and their age. The written authorisation should be signed by both parties.

Please note the appointee should be aware of their rights and responsibilities when acting on behalf of someone who is in receipt of Housing and Council Tax Benefit. If you are unsure of your rights and responsibilities please consult the Council before becoming an appointee.

If the claimant is unable to give written authorisation but their appointee has already been legally appointed to act on their behalf, evidence of this appointment should be sufficient for the Council to make the same arrangements in respect of Housing and Council Tax Benefit.

If there is no prior legal arrangement the appointee will need to write to the Council providing their details and explain the circumstances that mean they need to act on the claimants behalf. The Council will then need to be satisfied that the arrangement is beneficial to both parties and that the appointee is able to take on the responsibility.

What can my appointee do on my behalf?

Your appointee can carry out all the duties that are expected in the administration of your claim for benefit, this includes:

  • Completing application forms and other associated documentation;
  • Supplying supporting information about your income, savings, and rent;
  • Informing the Council about changes in your circumstances;
  • Receiving benefit payments;
  • Making arrangements to repay any benefit that has been overpaid;
  • Appealing a decision we have made.

An important note for all appointees

It is in the best interests of the person that you are acting for to remain fully appraised of their personal circumstances and to act upon any changes in their circumstances promptly. If you fail to do so you may disadvantage the person you are acting for. Please read our sections about Changes in Circumstance to understand the importance of acting promptly.

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