If the person you look after wants help managing their bank account, they could make a third party mandate with their bank. This means that they name a specific person (for example you as their carer), and this gives you the authority to manage the bank account.

They can request a third party mandate arrangement form from their bank or building society.

This is a document that tells your bank, building society or other account provider that they can accept instructions about your money from a specific named person.

Please note that if the person who has requested this loses their mental capacity (or ability to make decisions), the third party mandate will no longer be valid.

If the person you look after needs help to manage their benefits and there is not already a lasting power of attorney in place, you could apply to be their appointee. 

This means that you become responsible for making and maintaining any benefit claims on behalf of the person you look after. 

For more information on appointees you can visit the GOV.UK website.

If the person you look after wants help managing their bank account and other financial affairs, they could grant an ordinary power of attorney to a specific person (for example you as their carer).  

If granted this, you would have the authority to deal with any financial affairs specified in the ordinary power of attorney. If the person you look after wants to grant an ordinary power of attorney, they could contact a local advice centre to see if they can help or they could contact a legal adviser.

If the person you look after is 18 or older and wants help managing their bank account and other financial affairs, both now and in the future (for when they are unable to make a decision), they could grant a lasting power of attorney for property and financial affairs to a specific person (for example you as their carer).  

If granted this, you would have the authority to deal with any financial affairs the lasting power of attorney specifies. This can be used as soon as it is registered, and can continue to be used if the person you look after becomes unable to make their own decisions (so if they lack mental capacity). See below for some further information on lasting power of attorneys.