Benefits reminder – Post Office cards ceasing in November

Orkney Islands Council is reminding members of the public who use a Post Office card account to receive their benefit payments that these accounts are being discontinued from November. (The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) will not be renewing their contract with Post Office to provide this account.)

The Post Office ‘Basic’ card account is a fee-free account that many people currently opt to have their benefits paid into. It is a bank account you could only get from the Post Office for automated government payments, such as benefits. It’s not the same as any other current or savings account offered by the Post Office.

Anyone using this bank account are urged to ensure they open an alternative bank account before 30 November.

Post Office are writing to claimants affected in coming weeks, with DWP putting information on Universal Credit claimants' online journals.

OIC’s Revenues and Benefits Manager, William Moore, said: “We estimate there to be at least 1,000 local people, possibly more, who who’ll be affected by this change.

“After what has been a prolonged tough period we are keen to help get the message out to avoid local households getting into the situation where they can’t access their benefits.

“So our advice is act early, check out other fee-free bank account options and if you think we may have a Post Office Basic account on record for you, update us when you have made the change.

“Remember, it’s important not to close your Post Office card account until you’ve checked that your benefits or State Pension payments are being paid into your new bank account.”

You can call the DWP helpline to change the account your benefit or tax credit is paid into from a Post Office card account to a different type of account. You can also ask any questions you have. Telephone DWP on 0800 085 7133 (Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm)

Read more:

Information on the Citizens Advice Bureau website.

Information about the Post Office account closure from the Money Advice Service charity.

Information about other fee-free bank accounts on the Money Helper website.