Sending Cash Through Post

[Kazal]

I was an executor of a will and certain bequests were for the deceased s grandchildren. One of the children who is 15 comes from a family who are on benefits, have no bank or building society accounts and are struggling to bank he cheque. It is for a couple of hundred pounds. His mothe tells me (rightly or wrongly) that they have been unable to open a building society or savings account for him as he has no passport and no other family members have accounts. She has asked if I will send cash instead. I am reluctant to do so and as they live 150 miles away it would need to go by post. The post office no longer do registered envelopes so can I arrange for this money to get to him ?

[Mamyalynne]

The only safe way to send cash is with a Bona Fide Courier company.

[EDDIE51]

Buy postal orders and have them made out the the person's name. They will be able to cash them at a post office by producing ID. Their benefit letters and proof of address will be sufficient ID !
The Post Office still do special delivery post in an ordinary envelope. But cash is only insured up to £50 so you could do 4 separate special delivery letters. Make sure you send the cash in tamper proof envelopes so that is is obvious if they have been opened!
I once sent cash by special delivery and the recipient said the envelope was empty when they got it! Someone had slit the envelope open and removed the cash. But they had signed for it without checking . You can get plastic tamper proof envelopes that can't be opened without it being obvious!

[scrunge999]

The Post Office recommend using special delivery guaranteed:
https://business.help.royalmail.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/91/~/sending-valuables%2C-money-%26-jewellery-in-the-uk
Ther's more about it here:
http://www.royalmail.com/business/services/sending/parcels-uk/next-day-delivery
The cost is about £7.25 for items of up to £500.

[EDDIE51]

Here you can buy tamper proof envelopes at the Post Office shop
http://shop.royalmail.com/c4-tamper-evident-polythene-envelopes-pack-of-20-/invt/vow_8571204

[Kathyan]

I thought all benefit claimants had to have a bank account these days?

[EDDIE51]

^^ Good point . But I think you can have a post office cash card just for the payments. But if they have a PO cash card a postal order should be able to be paid into it !

[EDDIE51]

Just checked if you have no bank account you can have a 'cash point card' simple payments account.
https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/benefits-introduction/payment-of-benefits-and-tax-credits/#difficulties_opening_or_managing_an_account
It is only for benefit payments so you can't cash a Postal order through it.

[tamborine]

This ?

https://www2.westernunion.com/gb/en/wu/home.html

[EDDIE51]

Never use western union it is not safe !

[murraymints]

postal orders crossed can be cashed over PO counters..

[EDDIE51]

Minty, That's what I said. Use postal orders but with the recipient's name printed in the payee box. Then they just need to produce ID at the post office counter! The post office you buy them at will print the name in for you.

[murraymints]

seems obvious to me Eddie !

[bednobs]

will a 15 year old have id and benefits in their own name? Perhaps the Op is worried the money will be misappropriated by the parents

[murraymints]

if a postal order has his name on them... then only he can cash an order

[bednobs]

yes i know but my point is will a 15 year old have id with which to cash it? The bit about the parents is in respect to sending cash

[murraymints]

birth cert..bus pass..?

[EDDIE51]

I agree it does seem a bit 'iffy' that none of the family have a bank account !

[Gizmonster]

//// ..... and no other family members have accounts ////

Call me cynical, but I find that very hard to believe :P

[Kazal]

Thanks for all your replies. The family consists of the mother (been on benefits for over 20 years!) a girl in her 20's also on benefits and they are paid through the post office with a card and the 15 year old boy.I am also sceptical about not being able to open some sort of savings account, but as he has had the cheque since March must assume they are right.
Minty - You cannot cash a CROSSED postal order, it is the same as a cheque
I am reluctant to send that amount of cash through the post and feel I will use postal orders and deduct the cost (£12.50) for doing so. I just want them off my back right now

[bednobs]

they could go to a cheque cashing place i suppose