What is an appointeeship and, when is it needed?
An appointeeship is a legal arrangement that allows someone to manage a person’s state benefits when they cannot do this themselves. This is usually because they lack capacity or are severely physically disabled and unable to access the community.
Staffordshire County Council can act as a Corporate Appointee in certain situations. Acting as an appointee means we take responsibility for collecting the person’s state benefits and using them to pay care charges, personal allowance and other essential items in their best interests.
When is appointeeship suitable?
Appointeeship is designed for people who have very limited financial resources and no one else willing or able to manage their money. It may be the best option if the person:
- Has a low level of savings
- Only receives state benefits
- Has no other income or significant assets
- Has no family or friends who can act on their behalf
If the person has other income or substantial savings, a Deputyship may be more appropriate.
Who can have an appointee?
We can apply for appointeeship if:
- There are concerns about financial abuse and a safeguarding referral has been made
- The person lacks capacity to manage their finances (confirmed by a Mental Capacity Assessment)
- The person is severely physically disabled and cannot access the community
- There is no one else suitable to act
- The person has only state benefits and little or no other income or assets
