The Finance Care Service

We are doing our utmost to ensure Service Users have access to finances over the coming weeks so are opening our phone line and accessing emails 7 days a week from now on until further notice. If you have any questions or queries please get in touch. Below is a helpful guide to navigating financial rights and what help is available during the Coronavirus outbreak.

Coronavirus Financial Help & Rights There are now over 1,500 officially confirmed cases of coronavirus in the UK and, sadly, 71 deaths. Many are worried about the UK impact of the virus, with events being cancelled, increasing numbers being asked to work from home, and a raft of new rules on sick pay and benefits. To help, we're worki...

Do you help dependants and/or vulnerable Adults who are unable to manage or access their finances? Do you help Adults for whom there are concerns about those around them accessing those finances?

If so, and the Adult does not have capacity to deal with money, it may help to refer them to a DWP appointed Appointee.

As a DWP appointed Corporate Appointee, the Finance Care Service helps Adults manage their benefits, by claiming entitlements, negotiating with creditors, protecting from financial abuse and supporting Adults with how to spend their money in their best interest (providing daily money management).

WHAT IS THE FINANCE CARE SERVICE?

It is a Corporate Appointee organisation appointed by the DWP to receive benefits on behalf of someone unable to manage their financial affairs, or someone who may be at risk of financial abuse when it is safer to appoint another to manage their money.

WHAT DOES THE FINANCE CARE SERVICE DO?

As Corporate Appointee it is responsible for acting on behalf of the Adult in all dealings with the DWP, including:-

1. Benefits claims;
2. Identification of suitable benefits claims;
3. Completing (and signing) benefits claim forms;
4. Providing evidence to the DWP of entitlement;
5. Collecting benefits and managing the monies in best interests;
a. This can include paying care bills and household bills;
b. Providing monies to Carer’s and Support Workers for shopping and spends;
c. Providing money for holidays, equipment, clothes and furniture.
6. Reporting relevant changes to the DWP of the Service User’s circumstances such as going into hospital or a change to persons who live with the Service User.

HOW DOES THE FINANCE CARE SERVICE HOLD MONIES?

The Adult’s monies are held in a Bank account specifically setup for Corporate Appointee management. The account belongs to Adult at all times and is made out in their name. The account is accessible and manageable by the Appointee only.

The monies held by the Bank are subject to their duties under the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) regulation and the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS).

HOW ARE REFERRALS MADE TO THE FINANCE CARE SERVICE?

Referrals are usually made by Social Workers and Local Authorities following the outcome of a Needs Assessment.

If the Adult is assessed as not having capacity to manage money, the referral can be made.

The referral process is done online via the “referrals” page at https://www.financecareservice.org/referrals

The referral can be done via desktop computer, laptop, mobile phone and tablet. It takes about 10 minutes.

WHAT HAPPENS AFTER THE REFERRAL IS MADE?

Once the referral is received, the FCS will contact you within 6 working hours to confirm receipt, acceptance, and to request a copy of the Needs Assessment.

The assessment must be filed with the DWP BF56 Appointee application form with the DWP.

The process to have the Financial Care Service appointed takes around 4-6 weeks.

The Financial Care Service is run by a Solicitor (non-practising) with many years of legal experience and Court of Protection (Finance & Property) Deputyship experience.

The ethos of the Financial Care Service is to make the lives of the Adults it represents the best possible place they can be on contemplation of their finances. It also wants to help make the jobs of Social Workers, Support Workers, Safeguarding Teams, Advocates, Charities, Domiciliary Care Agencies, Care Home Operators and Family Members easier.

The Financial Care Service is here to help the Adult’s it represents and also their circle of care, to make a positive difference.

If we can help in any way, please get in touch.

Referrals | THE FINANCE CARE SERVICE ©2019 by THE FINANCE CARE SERVICE is a trading name of Finance Care Service Limited a company registered in England and Wales.  Company registration number 12252002.  The list of Directors is open to inspection at the office.