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Original poster

How to Get Cash if you Are Housebound.

27 replies

IHateBlueLights · 02/01/2020 19:46

My friend's cousin B has become increasingly frail and was struggling to continue at home. She lives 400 miles away.

Friend went up before Christmas and there are now carers in place, a cleaner and a gardener and B is very happy with the arrangement.

The only problem now is how to get cash. Friend has told her not to trust anyone with her card or pin number but how else is she to get cash? She is too frail to leave her home at the moment and that's unlikely to change. She has neighbours and friends who will get milk and other things from the local shop for her and my friend does a supermarket shop online for her once a month. She also gets those ready meals delivered. Mostly she can pay by cheque but sometime cash is essential.

Any ideas about what she could do?

OP posts:

MrsDilligaf · 02/01/2020 19:56

We used to leave a £300 float in a lockable box in FIL's house which his carers had access to. They were used to this sort of arrangement and suggested it to us, as we had a similar issue. The carers used it for any thing they needed cash for, left receipts, noted down amounts and signed for non receiptable items (collections, fish and chip suppers and so on). It is risky having cash about the place, but we didn't come across any issues (thankfully).

We also had an envelope system for bingo, chiropodist, hairdresser etc, dated for when they were due so that he wasn't having to worry about paying them - they were ready when they were needed.

The carers should be able to advise what they would be happy with.

Original poster

IHateBlueLights · 02/01/2020 20:04

Thanks for that. It sounds like that could work but how to get the cash in the first place? Would the carers feel able to cash a cheque for her once a month or so, do you think?

OP posts:

georgedawes · 02/01/2020 20:06

You could use something like this - www.moneycarer.org.uk/services/carer-shopping-cards-to-assist-with-daily-living.html

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georgedawes · 02/01/2020 20:07

(I appreciate it doesn't cover all needs for cash though!)

BlueLadybird · 02/01/2020 20:15

Would the carers feel able to cash a cheque for her once a month or so, do you think?

Yes I think so. Presumably she trusts the carers and so occasionally could pay them for a little extra time to go to the bank for her and cash a cheque. Or perhaps ask one of her friends. She doesn’t need to give over her card or PIN, just a cheque payable to cash should do it.

daisy118 · 02/01/2020 20:28

Maybe cousin B could ask friend or neighbour to get cash using their bank card and repay them by cheque,smalldenomination notes are better.Ensure a financial POA is considered,makes it so much easier.For my housebound parent all utilities are paid by DD,I pay cleaner,milkman and window cleaner by internet banking,invoices are emailed to me.I have POA and pay direct from her bank account.

Nextphonewontbesamsung · 02/01/2020 20:30

What does she need cash for if she doesn't leave the house?

SilverySurfer · 02/01/2020 20:34

Could she not pay carers etc with a cheque?

jazzandh · 02/01/2020 20:36

With online banking you can pay people within minutes - no cash required.

I pay my son when he goes to the shops to get some shopping - put it in his account and it's there for when he is at the till to pay.

Even if you pay some trusted person in advance to obtain cash for you.....

DonnaDarko · 02/01/2020 20:39

You don't need cash and it's probably safer to not have that much cash around the house.

Someone else mentioned online banking, but if she's not happy with that, look into prepaid cards, which you can top up online. She could just put on £10 a week to cover essentials.

Original poster

IHateBlueLights · 02/01/2020 21:28

Thanks for the helpful suggestions. She wants cash to pay the gardener and the window cleaner, she said. And to pay for the bits of shopping people do for her - milk for example.

We think the idea of a float is good as long as someone is prepared to cash a cheque or give her cash for a bank transfer. I think my friend might do that and get her cousin to write a cheque to her.

It's a long way to visit so my friend is trying to get as much in place as possible.

OP posts:

StrongerThanIThought76 · 02/01/2020 22:13

When was the last time any of you tried to cash a cheque?!!

Really tricky situation OP, I don't envy your friend's dilemma. Would one of her friends/neighbours be able to withdraw cash if your friend could transfer money to their account?

dementedpixie · 02/01/2020 22:19

Nobody will be able to cash a cheque for her. You can cash your own cheque but someone else cant do it. Is there no family about that can get money out for her regularly? Or can she transfer money for someone to withdraw from their account?

Original poster

IHateBlueLights · 03/01/2020 07:26

She cannot leave the house and isn't on the internet so cannot transfer money, except by cheque. All local family are long gone and, really, there is only her cousin left who cares. There are other cousins but they have their own problems that come with age and are also many miles away.

There have been some really useful suggestions here. My friend says thanks very much.

OP posts:

BlueLadybird · 03/01/2020 08:25

We had a similar situation with a relative. It would be really helpful if the cousin could get POA in order to help with her affairs from afar.

If there is a local friend who visits the bank (or is willing to) regularly the cousin could transfer an agreed amount to their account each week and they could withdraw it and give it to the relative.

lubeybooby · 03/01/2020 08:28

can the person not order everything online for delivery and keep stocks of longlife milk in the pantry and extra bread in the freezer... we do this due to rural location and I haven't used cash in over a year

Nat6999 · 03/01/2020 08:30

Could you help her set up online banking so she could transfer what she needs in cash to you or someone else who can withdraw the cash to give to her or set up a standing order or direct debit to do the same?

Ilovenutellaaaaa · 03/01/2020 08:33

She could get one of those prepaid cards like cashplus (I have one and it's great,)....she can then transfer amounts of money into that as and when she needs to (carers friends can then go buy her items and groceries but can't pend more than she has put on and don't have any access to her actual bank account)..she could also do online shopping, and pay online using cashplus card ...(that was originally what I got mine for,)

Ilovenutellaaaaa · 03/01/2020 08:33

*can't spend

Ginfordinner · 03/01/2020 13:29

DonnaDarko believe it or not there are still a lot of instances where you can only use cash. I don't carry a card machine on me, and if a housebound person who doesn't do internet banking wants me to get a pint of milk, for example, how are they going to pay for it?

Undercoverworker06 · 03/01/2020 13:43

What about her giving a cheque to her cousin, payable to her, the cousin pays it into her own account and withdraws the cash?
We've got the same issue with my MIL, but we've got POA and the bank has given us our own card to use on her account (done with mum's approval, I hasten to add).
I used to work in a bank and it's not as easy as turning up with someone's cheque made payable to cash and then walking off with the money, but there are ways round it tho it's a faff. The cheque for the cousin would be the simplest way round it.

dontgobaconmyheart · 03/01/2020 13:51

If she has her full capacities and is cogent OP I second your friend and her cousin involving a solicitor here to set up Power of Attorney. Your friend may not be able to help her if the situation declines without this and applying before it gets to it is far less stressful and time consuming that after the fact, especially if there is money management involved, the rules are very stringent regarding managing others dealings and moving their money around. With POA/consent access to finances is given and money could be moved electronically etc by your friend. I'm sure the gardner etc have BACS.

Undercoverworker06 · 03/01/2020 14:20

Or a cheque payable to a trusted carer or neighbour, that would work, if the distance is an issue?

Knittedfairies · 03/01/2020 14:49

Have you seen this?. There is a service charge.

Original poster

IHateBlueLights · 03/01/2020 17:35

Thank so much for that @knittedfairies.

Cousin has no desire to go online, which would make things easier. She can't even type, let alone use a computer or smart phone. We're afraid she would be very vulnerable to scams.

OP posts:

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