Guides › Public Services › Becoming an Appointee to Manage Someone's Benefits
Becoming An Appointee to Manage Someone's Benefits
If someone cannot manage their own benefits because they are mentally incapable or severely disabled, a friend, relative or organisation can apply to DWP to be their appointee. DWP visits the person, interviews you, and you fill in form BF56 together. You only become the appointee when you get form BF57. You must spend the money in their best interests and report changes.
At A Glance
Your Rights
What the rules say, with a link to the official source for each.
Being An Appointee
Who Can Be One
An individual, such as a friend or relative, or an organisation, such as a solicitor or local council. The claimant must be mentally incapable or severely disabled. Only one appointee can act at a time. source
How to Apply
Phone the helpline for the benefit. DWP arranges a visit to assess whether an appointee is needed, interviews you and you complete form BF56 together. You are not the appointee until you receive form BF57. source
Responsibilities
Sign the claim, keep it up to date, report changes and spend the benefit in the person's best interests. You could be held responsible for an overpayment. source
Stopping
Contact DWP straight away if you want to stop. For benefits devolved to Scotland or Northern Ireland, apply to Social Security Scotland or the Department for Communities. source
Time Limits to Know
Miss a deadline and you can lose a right. Check the dates on your own paperwork.
- Straight awayReport changesAs the appointee
Steps to Take
Step 1 of 5
Phone the benefit helpline to ask.
Step 2 of 5
Prepare for a DWP visit and interview.
Step 3 of 5
Complete form BF56 with DWP.
Step 4 of 5
Keep records of how the money is spent.
Step 5 of 5
Report changes promptly.
(Tap the numbers to reveal steps)
Where to Go If It Is Not Put Right
Your options, in order, and when each one applies.
Citizens Advice
Free, independent help with benefits, including challenges and appeals.
Good to Know
Small things that make your complaint stronger.
You can help someone with a claim without becoming their appointee.
Rules here are for England and Wales. Scotland has its own disability and carer benefits from Social Security Scotland, and Northern Ireland benefits are run through nidirect.
Want Help?
If you would like one of our team to look at your problem, our initial case review is free. We cannot guarantee any outcome and we do not give legal advice.
Lead reviewer
Luke Marley
Founder and Lead Reviewer
Luke founded CPUK in 2026 after seeing how hard it is for ordinary people to get problems with companies put right. He oversees our guides and checks them against official sources.
Research by Katie Burt, Co-founder and Operations Lead (17 years in the care sector, including managing services for vulnerable adults), and the CPUK Research Team. Researched with AI-assisted research tools, then checked and corrected by our team.
Last checked: 16 October 2026. We are not paid by the companies we write about. Adverts never affect our guidance. Read our editorial policy.
Sources and official links
- gov.uk/become-appointee-for-someone-claiming-benefits Checked 16 October 2026