POA problems

[Triomino]

Hi, I'm trying to register a POA for my father (dementia, lost capacity to make financial decisions).

All the banks etc have been fine but for his pension, I have been told I need to get a letter of authority signed by him. I mean, surely this is what the POA is.

Can anyone advise on how to take this forward please?

I don't think you can get a finances POA once the person lacks capacity to sign it. It needs to go through the court of protection. edit oh have you got a POA and are trying to activate it? In that case it should already have been signed by him when he agreed to it.

It is indeed what the POA is. Assuming he signed the POA while he still had capacity, you have full authority to act on his behalf. Go back to the pension provider and point this out. If they still won't budge, make a formal complaint.

Yes he signed the POA when he had full capacity. The pension company have a copy of that but want him now to sign a letter of authority before they can talk to us about his affairs.

The pension company are being ridiculous. This is the whole point of a POA so you can deal with his affairs if he has lost capacity. Have you spoken to their POA team or at least someone higher up. Explain that the POA is the authorisation

What kind of power of attorney is this if it’s an enduring POA than which has not been registered with the OPG then it can’t be used if they have lost capacity. If it’s a lasting power of attorney or Scottish poa then the pension company should accept. Double check with the company and make sure you speak to their specialised team there usually a legal team.

There are 2 poa; health and welfare and property and financial. Do you have both?
If not, in relation to money, you may have to try legal guardianship