Tax credits
Someone else can also claim tax credits for you. There is a specific section on the tax credit application form that asks the person you have chosen to be your appointee to explain why you can’t complete and sign the form.
Once you make someone your appointee it is their job to:
- Find out which benefits you may be entitled to,
- Claim those benefits by filling out all the appropriate application forms (including housing benefit, personal independence payment, employment and support allowance, tax credits, and child benefit),
- Decide whether the money will be paid to them or directly to you. If the money is paid to them, it is still your money and they must use it in your best interests,
- Notify the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), Her Majesty’s Revenue & Customs (HMRC) or the local authority of any relevant changes of circumstances and co-operate with these organisations at all times, and
- Make sure that any benefit overpayments are paid back.
If you are trying to become an appointee for someone with poor mental health and they are not co-operating this can cause problems.
If you are trying to become an appointee for someone with poor mental health and they are not co-operating this can cause problems. It may help if you have written evidence from the person’s doctor, psychiatrist or community mental health worker. If you have any problems trying to become someone’s appointee you can complain to the DWP.
