Using POA online codes?

[Beansandcheesearegood]

Got POA for dad and I've registered it online. What next? Does he have to go into bank etc or can I ring bank / dr etc then give them an access code to view online?

You should get a certificate from the public offices which you can take to the appropriate,place? Might take a few weeks to come through tho

You have to approach each organisation directly to organise access. Each organisation will have a different system. NatWest ask for you to fill in an online form and provide the code along with photos of Id.

a savings account on the other hand just required an online code. It took about a week to come through and I was given my own debit card and online access to the account.
I’ve had poa organised for a few years but only just needed to use it for access.

Thank you! We've all got the actual registered documents now/ certificate and I've registered online to use it, but then it says general a code, give organisation access etc so wasn't sure if I could do it a quicker way!

Every organisation I've ever dealt with wants to see the document. Nobody ever asks for or accepts the code. So annoying.

I haven’t had to use POA yet, but all the organisations I might need to use it with seem to require a certified copy rather than the online code, which rather seems to defeat the point and be hugely inefficient.

I had to do it manually at the banks, needed the certified PoA from the OPG, and ID and proof of address. It's time consuming and none of them got it right first time, so more than one visit was needed.

Halifax and Lloyds will do over the phone and you just give them the code which lets them access the POA documents. They will also send you a link to upload your ID if your not already a customer yourself

NatWest and Marcus both have accepted codes this week.

We’ve had fairly recent experience of this with my in-laws. As previous posters have said, it completely varies and in my opinion the whole thing needs a good shake up.
My husband was able to access PILs Santander account very easily by using the PoA codes you refer to. He was also able to use the online banking app. However, his mum has an account with Barclays, who could not have been less helpful. Won’t accept codes, need to see actual documents in person and you are “not allowed” to use the banking app for online banking!! Also had huge issues with estate agents/solicitors when selling their property..he was told the Land Registry “don’t accept” the online codes and need to see the original documents (errm..are the Land Registry and the Office of the Public Guardian not both government departments???)
This won’t affect you as you’ve only just registered but I’d set mine up for my dad back in 2015 but only felt the need to activate last year as he was struggling with his banking..as it had been set up nine years ago it “pre-dated” the use of online codes and I had to present myself in person to the bank with certified copies of the original document.
I think the advice I would give you is don’t expect anything to be straightforward and expect lots of different responses…and don’t expect to be able to do anything quickly..you need tenacity, patience and persistence!!!

I'm so confused about this.

How do you get an online code? Ours was done in 2019.

I was looking at the new government "One" thing. Is that even relevant? and it also said something about only having 30 days to use the code.

I thought the point of this system was that you had a code to use when you needed it but obviously it's not like that?

Should I not request a code until I know I definitely need one....but then does it take ages to get a code?

So far I've been able to use the online code for everything needed!
Most awkward was HSBC Bank where I had to go in with my id etc but they still accepted the online code and I was issued my own card on my mother's account.
Solicitors have accepted online code for sale of mother's property, banks have accepted it, doctors etc.

@NCfor24 how did you get the code please?

I think you may be in the weird “middle zone” if you got yours done in 2019 in that Office of Public Guardian don’t supply you with a code automatically but you can get one if you request it from them..those who applied 2020 or later get a code sent automatically with the documentation.
And those of us who set ours up back in 2015 cannot have a code even if we request it and have to do things “the long way round”
like I say..it’s a confusing shambles!!!

Register the POA online as per instructions in letter and then go to gov.uk website to generate an online code for sharing.
https://use-lasting-power-of-attorney.service.gov.uk/home

You receive the code immediately and although it's valid for 30 days you can generate another at any time.
So I generated a code today for cashing in a savings account and just included it in a letter to ask how to close an account.

I don't have a letter though

we didn't get this when we made it in 2019

unless it's the long number referenced?

I have emailed but they are taking six weeks to reply it seems

thank you for clarifying how the 30 days thing works. I feel I have made some progress knowing that at least.

im also worried because I have changed address since then and apparently they don't change paperwork so the bank will probably query that too!

Even if the organisation won’t accept the code, your Dad won’t have to visit. Worst case is you (the attorney) have to visit with the form and id for you.

I think you can register online if you didn't have a letter with details. This is the link https://www.gov.uk/use-lasting-power-of-attorney and the part where is says pre 2020 you need to ask for an activation key is in the screenshot. Once you have that it is quite straightforward even though it feels like a lot of steps right now.
There is an email address where you can notify of address change as both my siblings (joint attorneys) have moved since we did mum's. I'd probably get it all registered and accessible online then change your address.

@NCfor24 thank you so much

the OPG actually got back to me today - yay! Thanks all for the help.

The online POA needs an overhaul as PP have said.

Not a single organisation eg banks, utilities etc has ever accepted the online access codes I generated even though it was created to make things easier. It was infuriating. This was for both my late DM and my DF. They all required either to see the hard copy certified LPOA or an emailed pdf. Including POAs for health & welfare.

The exception was the Attendance Allowance office when I had to call to advise them of changes recently and I generated a code online there and then. And even they messed it up as the code expired as they didn't do it. It's rubbish.

I spent the whole day on Friday trawling round the banks and building societies with my mum to get POA added. None of them wanted the online code, just took paper copies of the original but I certainly needed to be there and pretty sure mum did too. I have sent online code to NS&I but even they say they may require a certified paper copy to be sent. The whole thing is infuriating and could really do with streamlining. Even with POA, I can’t necessarily get online access, only branch, even if they offer online access to the donor. Clearly not a priority for them to invest in.

It really is a mess, isn’t it? Someone does need to come along and apply a dose of common sense to the proceedings.
It’s often the case that people dealing with this bureaucracy are going through some very stressful and emotional times dealing with elderly relatives illnesses/incapacity. We have had a very difficult few months where we have had to facilitate a house move on behalf my elderly in laws followed by dealing with social services/banks getting them both into a care home (the move came too late after several years of dithering and both became too incapacitated to live in their new house during the final months of sale…a salutary warning about not “dithering” too long…a whole other thread there…)
The stress of it all pushed my poor husband to a breakdown and it has been unbelievably difficult. Just being thwarted at every possible juncture due to inconsistencies with PoA has been a total and utter nightmare. I do hope no one else has to go through similar.

You should not have needed to take your DM. You just needed the certified POAs (ideally just access codes but we know that doesn't work) and two forms of ID for yourself so that is awful. I sympathise, it's such an ineffective system.

DWP have been the only people who suggested a code to me, everyone else has wanted a scan or original of the document.

Don’t see why Mum needed to be there. I’ve been added as attorney to at least a dozen institutions and never needed Dad there.

The online access may be because there’s often two or more attorneys,sometimes only acting jointly so approval from all is needed, and that’s harder online than having only one person able to approve. Not all banks will give online access to small community groups for the same reason.