How to open a bank account if you have no fixed address

Opening a bank account can feel out of reach when you do not have a fixed address. Without one, getting wages paid in, receiving benefits or sorting bills becomes much harder.

The good news is that several major banks now offer safe and simple accounts for people who are homeless, sofa surfing or moving between places. These accounts are built to remove the old barriers.

This guide explains how the scheme works, which banks take part and what you can use as ID.

Why banks now offer accounts with no fixed address

For years, you needed strict proof of address, such as a tenancy agreement or a utility bill. If you did not have these, you were stuck.

A trial between Shelter and HSBC changed things in 2019. Instead of relying on paperwork, HSBC used trusted information from charities to confirm someone’s details.

The trial worked well. Now Lloyds Banking Group, NatWest, Barclays, Nationwide and Santander also take part.

What these accounts let you do

Most accounts allow you to:

• receive wages, benefits or pensions
• pay bills
• set up direct debits and standing orders
• use a debit card
• withdraw cash
• check your balance online, in an app or in branch

They usually do not include:

• overdrafts
• cheque books
• credit facilities

These are simple, safe accounts designed to help you stay in control.

Support offered by each bank

Lloyds Banking Group (Lloyds, Halifax, Bank of Scotland)

The Basic Account gives you:

• debit card payments
• direct debits
• standing orders
• cashback at some shops
• spending alerts
• access to the Save the Change round-up feature

Lloyds can accept:

• temporary or hostel addresses
• care of addresses from charities
• PO boxes in some cases
• letters from doctors, social workers, hostel managers or prison officials

Apply in branch or by phone.

NatWest

The Foundation Account is offered automatically if you apply for another account and do not meet the requirements.

NatWest accepts around 30 types of ID, including:

• letters from homeless charities
• letters from support organisations

You can apply online, in branch, through the app or by phone.

They also run a support scheme for people facing homelessness, leaving prison or fleeing abuse.

Barclays

Barclays offers a Basic Current Account. You can manage it:

• in the app
• online
• by phone
• in branch or at a Barclays Local hub

You normally book an appointment to go through alternative ID options. If you apply for a standard account and do not qualify, you may be offered the basic version.

Nationwide

The FlexBasic account must be opened in branch.

Nationwide can look at alternative ID and will assess each case individually. A Specialist Support Team is available to help, and the building society also works with Shelter.

Santander

Santander’s Basic Current Account can be opened:

• online
• by phone

If you cannot provide standard ID, you may use:

• letters from councils
• letters from shelters
• letters from charities

A support team helps people who struggle with digital banking.

HSBC

HSBC’s No Fixed Address Account is only for people supported by a charity registered with Shelter’s Breaking the Cycle programme.

The charity arranges the appointment for you.

Your card, PIN and letters are usually sent to the charity’s address.

Other banks that may help

Some banks outside the main scheme still offer basic accounts with alternative ID if you get help from a charity.

These include:

• The Co-operative Bank Cashminder
• Metro Bank Cash Account
• TSB Basic Account

What you can use as ID

Depending on the bank, you may be able to use:

• a letter from a homeless charity
• a letter from a hostel or refuge
• a letter from a council housing worker
• a letter from a GP, social worker or probation officer
• a temporary address
• a care of address

If a charity is supporting you, they will guide you through this.

Why having a bank account matters

Without one, life gets more expensive and more stressful:

• jobs are harder to get
• benefits can be delayed
• bills cost more without direct debits
• renting privately becomes tougher
• saving safely becomes difficult

A basic account gives you stability and control over your money.

Government support

The Financial Inclusion Strategy aims to make banking easier and includes:

• help with repairing credit files after economic abuse
• more financial education in primary and secondary schools
• support for employers running payroll savings schemes
• better training for staff who work with vulnerable customers

The goal is to stop people being locked out of essential financial services.

Final thoughts

You should not be denied a bank account because you do not have a fixed address. The right support now exists, and charities can guide you through each step. If one bank says no, another might say yes.

Opening an account can be a turning point. It makes work, benefits and housing far easier to manage.