Helping someone make decisions

When someone is unable deal with their own finances, care or other personal matters, it may be necessary for someone else to manage these for them.

Someone's who is unable to manage their affairs may use:

• a power of attorney
• an appointee
• a deputy

Power of attorney

Ordinary power of attorney

An ordinary power of attorney is someone you nominate to make decisions on your behalf, even when you are able to do so yourself. Find out more about ordinary power of attorney on the Citizens Advice website. 

Lasting power of attorney

A lasting power of attorney is someone you've chosen to manage your affairs in the event you become unable to make decisions for yourself. Find out more information about appointing or becoming a lasting power of attorney on GOV.UK.

Appointee

Anyone can apply to be an appointee for someone who is mentally incapable or severely disabled and receiving benefits. Appointees are responsible for applying for benefits, receiving them and spending the money on the person’s behalf.

Find out more about appointee responsibilities on GOV.UK.

Deputy

Property and financial affairs deputy

You’ll do things like pay the person’s bills or organise their pension.

A deputy is more appropriate to manage the affairs of someone that has additional sources of income other than benefits. They also undertake responsibility for the management of all of a person's financial affairs if they become incapable of doing so themselves. This includes their: 

• savings
• pensions
• all sources of income
• assets, such as property and valuables
• investments
• savings

Find out more about becoming a deputy on GOV.UK.

Personal welfare deputy

You’ll make decisions about medical treatment and how someone is looked after. Find out more about becoming a personal welfare deputy on GOV.UK.

Help from Croydon council

If there is no friend, family member or other person available, it may be necessary for us to manage someone's affairs.

Care managers or social workers can make applications to the appointee and deputy team if they think a person is unable to manage financially. This can be because they lack the mental capacity or have a condition which prevents them from doing so.

If you think someone might need our help managing their affairs you can ask us to make a care and support assessment.