Appointeeship | Becoming a DWP Benefits Appointee
Opening a bank account as an appointee and your role and responsibilities
s everyday banking becomes more digital, many people still face barriers when managing their money — especially older adults, people with disabilities, and those with learning difficulties.
Simple actions like remembering a PIN, using a mobile banking app, or handling small cards can be challenging or even impossible for some. That’s why new payment technologies like NFC payment rings and biometric payment cards are becoming so important.
They’re not just convenient — they’re tools for financial independence and inclusion.
What Are Payment Rings and Biometric Payment Cards?
Payment Rings
A payment ring is a small, wearable device that allows you to make contactless payments just by tapping your hand near a card reader. It works using NFC (Near Field Communication) technology — the same used in contactless debit cards.
Because the ring is worn on your finger and doesn’t need charging, it’s easy to use and always ready. It can be linked to a managed bank account so that carers, deputies, or appointees can safely monitor and control spending.
Biometric Payment Cards
A biometric card looks like a normal debit card but has a small fingerprint sensor built into it. Instead of entering a PIN, the user simply touches the sensor when paying.
These cards use tokenisation technology, which replaces the real card number with a secure digital “token.” This means no sensitive data is stored on the card, and even if it’s lost, it can’t be used by anyone else.
How These Tools Help Vulnerable People
1. Ease of Use and Accessibility
Payment rings and biometric cards remove many of the physical and cognitive barriers that can make banking difficult.
No need to remember a PIN
No small buttons or mobile apps
Simple “tap and pay” design for quick, stress-free transactions
This is especially valuable for people with memory loss, arthritis, tremors, or limited hand mobility, who may struggle to handle traditional cards or cash.
2. Improved Safety and Security
Both technologies use tokenisation, which replaces card details with a unique code for each transaction. That means sensitive information is never shared with merchants or stored on the device.
Biometric cards add another layer of protection — only the registered fingerprint can authorise payments, so even if the card is stolen, it’s useless to anyone else.
3. Empowering Independence
For people supported by appointees or Court of Protection deputies, wearable or biometric payment tools can allow a person to handle small everyday purchases safely — things like buying a drink, paying for transport, or picking up essentials.
Meanwhile, carers or deputies can manage spending limits, top-ups, and transaction monitoring through Money Carer’s managed banking platform, ensuring accountability and protection.
4. Reducing Digital Exclusion
Not everyone owns or can use a smartphone for mobile payments. Payment rings and biometric cards bridge this gap — offering all the benefits of modern digital banking without the complexity of mobile apps or online logins.
By making digital payments accessible to those who can’t or don’t use phones, these tools help to close the financial inclusion gap.
Why Payment Networks Must Support Inclusive Technology
At Money Carer, we believe that global payment processors like Mastercard and Visa must do more to recognise and support assistive payment technologies for vulnerable groups.
These devices aren’t luxury gadgets — they are essential tools for inclusive finance. Supporting tokenised wearables and biometric cards could help thousands of people across the UK maintain independence while staying safe and supported.
A Step Toward a Fairer Financial Future
Technology has the power to break down barriers, not create them.
By embracing wearable payments and biometric authentication, we can make everyday money management simpler, safer, and more inclusive.
At Money Carer, we’re committed to promoting these innovations as part of our mission to help vulnerable people live independently with dignity and financial confidence.
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s everyday banking becomes more digital, many people still face barriers when managing their money — especially older adults, people with disabilities, and those with learning difficulties.
Simple actions like remembering a PIN, using a mobile banking app, or handling small cards can be challenging or even impossible for some. That’s why new payment technologies like NFC payment rings and biometric payment cards are becoming so important.
They’re not just convenient — they’re tools for financial independence and inclusion.
What Are Payment Rings and Biometric Payment Cards?
Payment Rings
A payment ring is a small, wearable device that allows you to make contactless payments just by tapping your hand near a card reader. It works using NFC (Near Field Communication) technology — the same used in contactless debit cards.
Because the ring is worn on your finger and doesn’t need charging, it’s easy to use and always ready. It can be linked to a managed bank account so that carers, deputies, or appointees can safely monitor and control spending.
Biometric Payment Cards
A biometric card looks like a normal debit card but has a small fingerprint sensor built into it. Instead of entering a PIN, the user simply touches the sensor when paying.
These cards use tokenisation technology, which replaces the real card number with a secure digital “token.” This means no sensitive data is stored on the card, and even if it’s lost, it can’t be used by anyone else.
How These Tools Help Vulnerable People
1. Ease of Use and Accessibility
Payment rings and biometric cards remove many of the physical and cognitive barriers that can make banking difficult.
No need to remember a PIN
No small buttons or mobile apps
Simple “tap and pay” design for quick, stress-free transactions
This is especially valuable for people with memory loss, arthritis, tremors, or limited hand mobility, who may struggle to handle traditional cards or cash.
2. Improved Safety and Security
Both technologies use tokenisation, which replaces card details with a unique code for each transaction. That means sensitive information is never shared with merchants or stored on the device.
Biometric cards add another layer of protection — only the registered fingerprint can authorise payments, so even if the card is stolen, it’s useless to anyone else.
3. Empowering Independence
For people supported by appointees or Court of Protection deputies, wearable or biometric payment tools can allow a person to handle small everyday purchases safely — things like buying a drink, paying for transport, or picking up essentials.
Meanwhile, carers or deputies can manage spending limits, top-ups, and transaction monitoring through Money Carer’s managed banking platform, ensuring accountability and protection.
4. Reducing Digital Exclusion
Not everyone owns or can use a smartphone for mobile payments. Payment rings and biometric cards bridge this gap — offering all the benefits of modern digital banking without the complexity of mobile apps or online logins.
By making digital payments accessible to those who can’t or don’t use phones, these tools help to close the financial inclusion gap.
Why Payment Networks Must Support Inclusive Technology
At Money Carer, we believe that global payment processors like Mastercard and Visa must do more to recognise and support assistive payment technologies for vulnerable groups.
These devices aren’t luxury gadgets — they are essential tools for inclusive finance. Supporting tokenised wearables and biometric cards could help thousands of people across the UK maintain independence while staying safe and supported.
A Step Toward a Fairer Financial Future
Technology has the power to break down barriers, not create them.
By embracing wearable payments and biometric authentication, we can make everyday money management simpler, safer, and more inclusive.
At Money Carer, we’re committed to promoting these innovations as part of our mission to help vulnerable people live independently with dignity and financial confidence.
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