bank account for a previously homeless person

[53245861]

Hi
I am trying to open a basic bank account for a previously homeless person who is now in permanent nursing care. I have a cheque which needs to be cleared as well as regular benefit cheques. I have a letter from social services who verify his existence, I have an NHS medical card and also a birth certificate. The gentleman is in his late 40's, in a wheelchair who cannot sign but could push buttons in a card machine in order to withdraw cash.
Help . . . please . . . I have approached Natwest and the Post Office without success.
Thanks T :-)

[themas]

The problem is presumably the bank's need for identity information. Note that a lot of banks tell you certain forms of identity are required by law, but this is not in fact the case. In many cases it is the bank itself which lays down its own rules on what it will accept, and their workers at the coal face are not given any discretion in using those rules. You may well need to get it taken to a higher level of management in one of the banks to get some common sense injected into the situation.

You could try Co-op bank for a Cashminder account.

The "benefit cheques" should be giros which can be cashed at a Post Office. If they are not, the DWP should be asked to replace them by giros until you have an account sorted out.

[53245861]

Hi themas - many thanks for your suggestion - I will try the Co-op as you recommend. T :-0)

[spudqueen]

Also, your friend could open a PO card account. This is no good for paying cheques into, but his benefits could be paid into this account and then he could withdraw money from any post office when ever he wanted. To get a card account you have to contact the agency which pays his benefits to get a letter of introduction. When you have this you then go to a Post Office to get an application form (taking the letter with you). A bit complicated I know, but a lot of people do have these PO card accounts and do find them useful.

[spudqueen]

Oh - and if your friend did have a PO card account he could then open an investment account at a PO which he could pay cheques into. I think you need a minimum of �100 to open one of these accounts. You can pick up a form at any Post Office. Identification is not needed to open one of these accounts as the Post Office does it's own identity checks when the application is received.

[HillyHugger]

Halifax easycash might be worth a look

http://www.halifax.co.uk/bankaccounts/easycash .asp