Help and support
Support when you need it most
Whether you’re managing someone else’s finances, supporting a loved one, worried about fraud or scams, coping with bereavement, or looking for extra support, you’ll find guidance and useful information here. Explore the topics below or get in touch if you need further assistance.
Topics
If you’re worried about money or are experiencing financial difficulty, get in touch. Here are some of the ways we could help, depending on your situation:
- Arrange a temporary payment plan with you.
- Change the way you make your payments, or the date you make them.
- Let you pay back your mortgage over a longer period (reducing your monthly payments).
- Change the repayment method of your mortgage.
- Defer your monthly mortgage payment (take a payment holiday).
- A combination of any of the above.
We’ve signed the Government Mortgage Charter. The Mortgage Charter is a set of universal standards to help and reassure mortgage holders worried by high interest rates.
Getting more help
You can get free, independent and impartial debt advice from the following organisations:
They’ll go through your situation, discuss your budget and what you owe, and make a plan with you. You’ll find lots of information on their websites. They can also make sure you’re getting any benefits you might be entitled to.
These organisations are all regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, so you know you’re in safe hands.
They do not work for us or any other lender. They’ll advise you based on what’s best for you and your situation.
For more helpful information, advice and resources about what to do if you can’t pay your mortgage, you can also visit The Building Societies Association website.
How do I register a Power of Attorney (POA) or deputy with Ecology?
- Fill in our registration form and return it to us together with the original POA document or a certified copy. We will also need proof of the attorneys address if they aren’t an Ecology member themselves.
- We will set the attorney up including online access and return the documents.
- We will send confirmation of the registration by post.
What documents do I need to provide?
You will need to send us the Power of Attorney document or a certified copy of the document. You will also need to send us proof of identification.
What identification will I need to provide?
You will need to supply us with two pieces of identification. The easiest way to prove identification is by allowing us to run an electronic identity search. You can give us permission using the consent to electronic search form.
Alternatively you can send two forms of identification. The documents that we accept are listed in the proving your identity form.
What happens once I have registered as a POA or Deputy?
We will write to you and let you know that you can now access the accounts and give you details of how to do this.
How do I register to view the savings account online?
You can register to view the savings account online here Online registration page. Please note you will register in your name to view the donors account.
Can I operate the account online as POA?
Powers of Attorney can view savings account(s) online but they cannot make any withdrawals. This must be done by post or telephone.
What’s the difference between a Lasting Power of Attorney, Enduring Power of Attorney, a Deputy?
Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA): a legal document that lets you appoint one or more people to help you make decisions or make decisions on your behalf. There are two types of LPA:
- health and welfare
- property and financial affairs
You must have mental capacity when you make your LPA.
Enduring Power of Attorney (EPA): EPAs have been replaced by LPAs but can still be used if you have one. An EPA is a legal document that lets you appoint one or more people to help you make decisions or make decisions on your behalf. EPAs only cover property and financial matters.
Deputies: A deputy is appointed by the Court of Protection if an individual does not have mental capacity (cannot make decisions for themselves). There are two types of deputyship:
- Personal welfare, where you make decisions about their medical treatment and care
- Property and financial affairs where you can make decisions about their money and property.
If you’re appointed as a deputy the court order will say what you can and can’t do.
If you need help, we are here
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01535 650770
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[email protected]
- Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm (opening at 10am on Tuesdays)
