How the client affairs service works
When Staffordshire County Council acts as a Corporate Appointee, we take responsibility for managing a person’s state benefits. This service is designed to make sure essential bills and care costs are paid and that the person has access to money for daily living.
The Client Affairs Service only manages state benefits. It does not cover other income, savings or assets. If the person has significant savings or additional income, a Deputyship may be more suitable.
What the Client Affairs Service does
We will:
- Collect the person’s state benefits
- Pay care charges and personal allowance
- Make payments for essential items in the person’s best interests
- Provide a cash card, so the person can access money (loaded daily or weekly)
What the Client Affairs Service cannot do
We cannot:
- Manage savings or other income
- Spend money without social worker approval
- Pay old debts (except in rare cases)
- Act as a financial representative for Direct Payments
- Make medical or care decisions
Timescales
Once the Client Affairs Service has accepted the referral the process usually takes 8 to 12 weeks for the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to approve the application.
Charges
- £15 per week if the person lives in residential care and has over £1,000 in savings
- £20 per week if the person lives in the community
When someone dies
If a person with an appointeeship dies:
- The authority ends immediately
- We inform DWP and cancel payments
- Funeral costs may be paid if funds allow
- Remaining funds go to the estate through probate or indemnity process
