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Original poster

Can anyone help with how to get a bank account for adult SEN DS to apply for UC?

51 replies

myfaceismyown · 04/12/2022 17:00

My DS turned 20. He receives PIP as his SEN is complex. I have been told he can now receive UC, whilst at college, but he would need a bank account for this.
Up until now I have managed his money as he would not have a clue. To receive UC he would need a bank account, and does not have a passport, driving license (the idea of that is hilarious) and obviously does not pay any bills etc as its all done through the bank of Mum and Dad.
DH and I plan to carry on looking after him until we are too inferm, in which case our other DC has offered to take over his care. I'm in a bit of a quandry as putting him through a UC application would be distressing for him - PIP was pretty bad. I have never claimed UC myself so its not anything I know about. Googling has just made the whole thing confusing! Has anyone gone through this who might be kind enough to offer advise please?

OP posts:
LisaJool · 04/12/2022 17:06

Getting an account shouldn't be a problem? Do you mean you want power of attorney and that's what the issue is?

Brokendaughter · 04/12/2022 17:07

"With Barclays, they usually ask for two documents: one to prove your identity and another to prove your address (you can’t use the same document twice).
They accept letters from HMRC or benefit letters if you don’t have a photo ID.
If you have a parent or guardian who banks with them, they will accept a letter by way of an introduction.
If you don’t have the ID, they ask you to call them to discuss other options on 0345 7345 345."

If you contact the bank you or your OH bank with & ask them, they probably do have a similar way for it to be done.

Many places accept a Birth Certificate or a letter from the DWP if it is less than 3 months old as valid documents which you should be able to get for him.

JustKeepBuilding · 04/12/2022 17:09

UC can be paid into the same account his PIP is paid in to.

On their website Contact have useful information on claiming UC for young people still in education.

twoseven · 04/12/2022 17:12

I got my adult son a provisional driving license(no need to have any intention to drive) and it acts as an ID too.

GlorifiedChair · 04/12/2022 17:15

Become his Benefit Appointee and it will be paid into your account.

www.gov.uk/become-appointee-for-someone-claiming-benefits

www.gov.uk/guidance/universal-credit-consent-and-disclosure-of-information (scroll down for Appointee info).

Babyroobs · 04/12/2022 17:15

I think the rules have changed recently on claiming Uc whilst still at college. If he does claim it you will need to hand in sick notes. it should not be distressing for him, he will be sent a work capability form to complete and you can explain his SEN in full on there and hopefully would not require an assessment. You can use the bank account where his PIP goes into.

WorldLeaderPretend · 04/12/2022 17:19

I manage UC for my son. It is paid into his bank account but I am his PIP appointee and was therefore accepted immediately as his UC appointee too. He had to come to the initial setup meeting for UC where they confirmed they would put him on the pathway that means no need to look for work. We had to get a sicknote from his GP saying he isn't fit for work. We got a 3 month sicknote. During this period we have been sent, and filled in, a form for LCWRA (limited capacity for work or work related activity). We are currently waiting for this to be assessed (once again, I filled it in on his behalf). In the meantime I have to answer a fortnightly phone call from UC. They don't ask to speak to DS (who wouldn't be able to speak to them anyway).

If LWCRA is agreed his weekly payments will go up considerably and he will not have to prove he's been applying for jobs etc (doesn't have to right now because of sicknote).

Insaneinthemembraneee · 04/12/2022 17:20

I've had the same trouble with my son who's 20
He has a first saver attached to my current account with NatWest but they still refused.
He has a passport although it's out of date; ran out in the April & he applied at 3 different banks in September with his passport, birth certificate & national insurance letter/number but apparently none of these are valid ID
So looks like me & his step dad will be supporting him for the foreseeable 🤷🏻‍♀️

Original poster
myfaceismyown · 04/12/2022 17:23

Thank you all so much for all your replies. @JustKeepBuilding His PIP is paid to my account, so that looks like a good solution. I have been thinking about a prepaid debit card of his own to help him pay for lunch etc, so @twoseven you may be a genius! When he was smaller he could not even "drive" a little tikes car....
@GlorifiedChair thank you for the link.

OP posts:
lookingforbaubles · 04/12/2022 17:27

i had my daughters name added to an account i had - they sent out a bank card in her name, was 5 yrs ago but they were very helpful, all done over the phone!

Original poster
myfaceismyown · 04/12/2022 17:27

@LisaJool I wasn't thinking POA more a joint account so I can shift money to it for him to use independently and also move a lot of the UC to a savings account so he does not spend it on eBay vintage toys when he needs clothes and food :) He is very loving but like a 6ft 5 year old regarding most things. He has to be washed, dressed etc.

OP posts:
vjg13 · 04/12/2022 17:37

I opened an bank account for my daughter (who has severe learning difficulties) with Lloyds and I am an appointee on the account and able to manage it. I am her DWP appointee. Lloyds were the only bank that I approached that seemed able to do this but it did have to be in person. I think TSB would be similar. She did not need to be present though. I did need a photo ID for her and used her passport.

Original poster
myfaceismyown · 04/12/2022 17:37

@Insaneinthemembraneee lets hope we can both find a solution through this thread. Mumsnetters rock!
I empathise totally. You never know what your baby will be like. We have been through several surgeries, and have another in the new year. I keep expecting my DS to pop out of his SEN bubble. I get glimpses of the man he might have been once in a blue moon, but sadly (for me) its just not going to happen. He is happy on the whole though, and very much loved, that is all I can really hope for.

OP posts:
LisaJool · 04/12/2022 17:38

Following the thread OP as my ds is nearly 18, I started a thread recently asking what the UC procedure is once they leave school. He has a bank account but wasn't sure about assessments and such.

cestlavielife · 04/12/2022 17:38

Hyperjar is an easy prepay
Ensure a,separate account even under your name so you can track and account for his money

Original poster
myfaceismyown · 04/12/2022 17:39

@vjg13 no passport - but college id has a photo so I might give that a try.

OP posts:
gogohmm · 04/12/2022 17:42

Dsd has a bank account in her name with dp as appointee guardian. He has guardianship through the court of protection.

If your dc does not have capacity you have no choice than apply to the court of protection which takes a lot of paperwork and is expensive. If he has capacity he can open an account with his birth certificate and other paperwork eg pip paperwork, his ni number letter.

gogohmm · 04/12/2022 17:44

The special accounts do require court of protection documents by the way, recently set it all up, it's very complicated and the burden of proof was high.

One option if they do have capacity is to apply for a passport!

vjg13 · 04/12/2022 17:49

@myfaceismyown I think you may need to get a provisional DL or passport to count as official ID for a bank.

Original poster
myfaceismyown · 04/12/2022 17:49

@gogohmm he has limited capacity. He can sign his name - about 15 cm big and at a jaunty angle as he has hyper mobility, dyspraxia and therefore poor motor skills. It is a possibility though. Thank you.

OP posts:
TigerRag · 04/12/2022 17:51

twoseven · 04/12/2022 17:12

I got my adult son a provisional driving license(no need to have any intention to drive) and it acts as an ID too.

Which you can only get if you're fit enough to drive. Those of us with medical conditions which mean we can't drive aren't able to get one

vjg13 · 04/12/2022 17:52

@gogohmm Not true, I was able to set up my daughter's bank account for her ESA to be paid into as I had the letter showing I was her DWP appointee. It is just her benefits and occasional cash gifts that get paid into that account.

We have court of protection health and welfare deputyship for my daughter but as her income is only benefits we did not apply for financial deputyship as being her DWP appointee will cover that.

JustKeepBuilding · 04/12/2022 17:54

Even if DS lacks capacity property and financial affairs deputyship isn’t usually required where the only income/assets are benefits as being appointee will suffice.

newnamequickly · 04/12/2022 17:55

I had a training session last week and one of the speakers was from Citizens Advice.

This is something they deal with. They help all people access a basic bank account. This particular lady was helping the homeless to access a bank account. It can be done!