Being a DWP Appointee – Overview

Why might it be of interest?
When your young person has been in receipt of DLA and is approaching their 16th birthday the DWP will want to establish whether the young person can manage their own financial affairs or if another person will act on their behalf. This appears to happen about 4-5 months before the young person’s birthday.

It’s helpful to know what a DWP Appointee is and the responsibilities. This is a short overview of the information you should know before agreeing to become an appointee.

This is the information on the government website: https://www.gov.uk/become-appointee-for-someone-claiming-benefits

What is a DWP Appointee?

A DWP Appointee is a person given authority by the DWP to act on behalf of another person to manage their benefits.

The DWP will want to establish if the young person will be able to manage their own financial affairs or if they need another person to do it for them.  This person is called an Appointee and once given the authority they can manage all of a person’s benefits.  It does not give them authority to manage any other money or assets the person might have.

What’s the process?

About 4-5 months before a young person’s 16^th birthday the DWP will write to the person who has been managing their DLA.  Attached to the letter will be a form to complete to indicate whether the young person will need someone to manage their benefits.  If they will need someone to manage their benefits then the potential appointee will fill in further information and sign the form before sending it off to the DWP.

The DWP will want to interview the potential appointee to ensure that they are a suitable person to become an appointee and to establish that the young person is not able to manage their benefits.

If the DWP agrees to you becoming an appointee they will send you form BF57 which is your authorisation to act as your young person’s appointee.

Do I need to be worried?

No!  It’s nice to say that for one of the many processes you have to go through with your young person.  I have not encountered any family who have not been made an appointee when they wished to become one.  Parents of more able young people but who can’t manage their money are often concerned that their young person will be deemed capable of managing their benefit but I am not aware of any instances of this happening.

Who can be an appointee?

Any responsible adult – although it is usually a parent.  Only one person can be the appointee and it goes without saying that it must be a trusted person and someone who is willing to manage the young person’s benefits.  It is not especially onerous but it is a responsibility.

What can an appointee manage?

A person’s benefits – that’s it.  You do not have authority to manage any other money, income, assets, etc.

At the point of becoming an appointee your young person is likely to be in receipt of only DLA.  However, once they have turned 16 they could be invited to apply for PIP – at any time from just before their 16^th birthday up to the time their DLA award is coming to an end.

As a young adult they may be claiming Universal Credit and if they move into supported living they will receive Housing Benefit to pay their rent and other housing costs.

As their appointee you will be able to and responsible for managing all these benefits.

The person who is managing the young person’s DLA up to the age of 16 is likely to become the appointee but it doesn’t have to be the same person.  You might, at this point, take the opportunity to nominate another person.

Bank accounts?

You may have had your young person’s DLA paid into one of your own bank accounts rather than one in their name (or jointly named).  It is a good idea to separate your young person’s benefits from your own money as this will make it easier to manage in the future.  You will certainly want to separate their money from yours when they come to live independently from you as their benefits – probably PIP and UC – will be the money they live on.

In theory the DWP can check up on how you are managing the young person’s money but I have to say that I have never heard of this actually happening.

Is it forever?

Not necessarily.  You can stop being an appointee if the person becomes able to manage their own benefits or you can change who the appointee is if you cannot or don’t want to continue.

Information on the application form

This is a link to a sample form:  https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&ved=2ahUKEwjclfem0v2CAxXXhv0HHczPCpQQFnoECDQQAQ&url=https%3A%2F%2Fproceduresonline.com%2Ftrixcms%2Fmedia%2F1112%2Fbf56-new.doc&usg=AOvVaw2CL4JxWZeQAGuDX7hYnNnh&opi=89978449

You will be asked to provide:

• Information about the young person – name, address, date of birth, NI no
• Information about you – name, address, date of birth, NI no, contact details
• Bank account information
• Sign the form