Adult Social Care Glossary, v 0.6

You can apply for the right to deal with the benefits of someone who cannot manage their own affairs because they’re mentally incapable or severely disabled.

Only 1 appointee can act on behalf of someone who is entitled to benefits (the claimant) from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).

An appointee can be:

- an individual, for example a friend or relative
- an organisation or representative of an organisation, for example a solicitor or local council

As an appointee you’re responsible for making and maintaining any benefit claims. You must:

- sign the benefit claim form
- tell the benefit office about any changes which affect how much the claimant gets
- spend the benefit (which is paid directly to you) in the claimant’s best interests
- tell the benefit office if you stop being the appointee, for example the claimant can now manage their own affairs
- If the benefit is overpaid, depending on the circumstances, you could be held responsible.