Managing paperwork and finances
Paperwork
Can you manage your day-to-day paperwork without help? This includes things such as benefits paperwork and correspondence such as GP and hospital letters?
Finances
Can you manage your finances without help? There are many things to consider as you start to prepare for later life and it's good to start by reviewing your finances.
Top tips
Keep saving
Saving is important at any age. But the younger we start, the greater we benefit from investment returns. If you need care in the future, most people will have to pay towards it so it is important to have money in the bank to help contribute.
Check whether you're entitled to any benefits
You might be able to get benefits like:
Make reading paper work and writing as easy as possible
If you find it difficult to read letters consider using a magnifier to enlarge the print. Reachers and/or grabbers can help you to pick post up off the floor, pen holders can help you to grip when writing and a signature guard can help keep your hand steady. Our equipment page has lots of other examples that you can use.
Make sure your carer has the support they need
If the person who helps look after you is a relative, friend or neighbour, our carers page has lots of top tips and information about support that they can also access.
Commonly asked questions Back to top
Who can I contact for free debt help and advice?
These registered charities have debt advisers who can give you free, confidential debt advice:
- Age UK has lots of advice on ways to save money and manage your finances.
- Citizens Advice offers help face-to-face, by telephone or by email.
- Debt Advice Foundation provides free debt advice and support through its helpline (0800 043 40 50) and website.
- National Debtline provides advice over the telephone (0808 808 4000), online and by email. They can send you a free self-help information pack.
- My Money Steps is a free online debt advice service run by National Debtline. You can develop your personal action plan to help manage your money and deal with debts.
- StepChange Debt Charity provides advice over the telephone (0800 138 111) or online via its debt remedy advice tool, providing a personal action plan and a recommendation of available solutions for dealing with debts.
Heating my home is expensive, what can I do about it?
There are many ways you can insulate your home to help save you money on your heating bills, such as closing your curtains at dusk to help stop heat escaping through the windows.
Switching your energy supplier
To help with costs you may want to consider switching your energy supplier. You could potentially save a lot of money, particularly if you have never switched before. Beat the Cold can help you find the best deals and offer advice energy efficiency in your home.
Benefits
You may also want to explore what benefits you are entitled too, such as the:
Try using Entitled to benefits calculator to find out what else you could be entitled to.
Water bills
Unlike gas and electricity companies, you can only be supplied by your regional water company. So, you can't switch suppliers, but there are ways to reduce your bills.
I need to pay my bills online where can I access a computer?
Every library in Staffordshire has computers available for free that anyone can use. You can use the library computers to access the internet and email accounts. Some of the libraries also have IT buddies who can help you with using the computer and navigating websites.
The Community Learning Service also run a variety of beginner and follow-on computer classes that can help improve your digital skills.
Do you need help to legally manage the financial and property affairs of a family member or friend who lacks mental capacity?
The Staffordshire County Council Deputyship Team was established in 2003 to ensure that vulnerable adults who lack the mental capacity to manage their financial and property affairs are protected from exploitation and wherever possible empowered to utilise their resources in accordance with their wishes, beliefs and lifestyles. The Team are able to arrange and administer Court of Protection Deputyship Orders for Property & Affairs where it is deemed that the person is incapable of doing so themselves as defined by Section 1 of the Mental Health Act 1983 and the Mental Capacity Act 2005.
More information about this support is available on our preparing for old age webpage.
Available packages
Guided DIY package
A packaged “do it yourself” service providing information to people who would like to apply to become deputy to manage the financial and property affairs of a relative or friend who lacks mental capacity. The team would supply the necessary outline guidance and example forms for the applicant to “do it” themselves. This complimentary service includes:
- Initial discussion to ascertain type of order required
- Explain deputyship role and process
- Direct to relevant government website
- Provide set of Court of Protection forms with example wording
Support package
A packaged service providing support and guidance to people who would like to apply to become deputy to manage the financial and property affairs of a relative or friend who lacks mental capacity. This £275 service includes:
- Initial discussion to ascertain type of order required
- Explain deputyship role and process
- Meet and liaise with family
- Support with completion of forms
- Support through application process up to receipt of court order
- Provide support and guidance with implementing court order
Application package
A packaged service to prepare and submit an application for deputyship on behalf of a relative or friend of a person who lacks mental capacity. This £745 service (based on the Ministry of Justice fixed costs policy for work to obtain deputyship court order) includes:
- Initial discussion to ascertain type of order required
- Explain deputyship role and process
- Meet and liaise with family
- Prepare and submit application
- Receive court order
- Provide support and guidance with implementing court order
Alternative support
We can apply to the Court of Protection to appoint Staffordshire County Council as deputy to manage the financial and property affairs of people who lack mental capacity following a social work assessment of need, mental capacity assessment and best interest decision. As local authority deputy we would ensure a person’s affairs are managed in their best interests in line with the Mental Capacity Act 2005. This service is intended for people who feel unable to take on the role of deputy themselves with a termination fee of £350 + VAT. Our fees for ongoing management are set out below.
Fees and charges
Fees based on the Ministry of Justice fixed costs policy. VAT is not applicable on the fees below:
Application fee up to Court Order - £745
Annual Management Fees - First Year - £775
Annual Management Fees - Second Year Thereafter (Capital Above £16,000) - £650
Annual Management Fees - Second Year Thereafter (Capital Below £16,000) - 3.5% of Capital
Annual Report Submission Fee - £216
Property Management Fee - £300
Health & Welfare Deputy - Annual Management Fee - 2.5% of Capital to maximum of £555
Pro-Rata Year Management Fee As calculated Travel Costs - £40 per Hour Preparation of HMRC Income Tax Return - Basic £70 / Complex £140
Contact us
Deputyship Team
2 Staffordshire Place
Tipping Street
Stafford
ST16 2DH
Phone: 01785 895670
Email: deputyship@staffordshire.gov.uk
Printable version
There is a printable version of the Deputyship services available to download.
Deputyship services leaflet (1.8 MB)
You may find these pages helpful:
What's available in my local area?
If you are looking for help with managing your paper work and finances our directory website Staffordshire Connects can help you. There are pages on:
Staffordshire Cares
If you need support with managing you paper and finances and wish to to discuss this in more detail you can:
#DoingOurBit – What one thing can you do?
You can help an older family member, friend or neighbour by making sure they are paying their bills, helping them to get cash out of the bank, or giving them a hand to set up an online bank account.