§ Mr. Laurence RobertsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans he has to allow people who are physically incapacitated to appoint agents to sign pension slips on their behalf without a power of attorney; what assessment he has made of the security of the present arrangements for marking such slips; and if he will make a statement. [59395]
§ Mr. DenhamA person who is physically disabled has the right to authorise an agent to collect their benefit or pension from the post office. A power of attorney is not needed. We have no plans to change these arrangements.
Where the agent arrangement is temporary the benefit claimant signs a declaration on the back of the order-book slip authorising payment to the agent. For permanent arrangements the claimant must ask the Benefits Agency to issue an agency card which authorises the agent to collect payment.
A claimant has the right to revoke or change an agent nomination at any time. If the claimant becomes no longer mentally capable of dealing with their own affairs, the Secretary of State has the power to appoint a suitable person, normally the spouse or a close friend or relative of the claimant to act on their behalf in all matters to do with the benefit claim including receipt of the benefit payment. The Secretary of State can revoke such an arrangement if the arrangement is not working satisfactorily.
We are currently reviewing the procedures, guidance and information materials relating to appointeeships.