bank account letter

Hi All, I got another one of these menacing letter from the DWP about opening a bank account. "You are now expected to use a bank, building society or credit union account". As you can see it says "expected", so nothing to worry about, it just the way it is written like it is mandatory!   I just thought I would let other like me to who use the post office account Tm. Also you can get the Univ Credit paid into this account. Until Nov 2021 i believe, unless there have been some changes?

.....The phrase 'most people' (3rd line of 1st paragraph) is a giveaway

'Most people' is not everyone

I know what you mean Caker . But you can see the way the letter has been written some could be mislead . Also does anyone know why the DWP are so keen to get people to use a bank account instead of the post office account? Is it to do with accessing peoples data, just in case they have another income coming in?

.....Yes, I agree totally El-Dude. The language is very 'instructional' in tone and very much appears to suggest that the recipient must comply with the request.

My understanding is that DWP is charged 30p per transaction when paying money into the PO. This is more expensive than paying into an ordinary bank / building society account. I don't know what banks and building societies charge; may even be free.

I have no idea about credit unions.  

With regard to accessing financial data, I understand that the fraud dept of DWP can already do that if they have the suspicion of fraud.

"My understanding is that DWP is charged 30p per transaction when paying money into the PO. "

You'd think the cost of the postage and letter, would be more the the 30p, so there not exactly saving money are they. Besides at the moment I would have trouble getting any sort of basic account, as I have tried, so its a catch 22 situation for me .

El-Dude,

Not suggesting you switch to a bank account, just for information

Guaranteed acceptance bank account:

http://www.eccount.com/

Other ideas:

http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/banking/basic-bank-accounts

@El-Dude

It costs DWP £7.80 over the year then (30p every fortnight)

i kinda remembered fv's post on this subject these go for any benefit payment from dwp or housing departments uc accounts esa and pip payments

https://equallives.org.uk/hmrc-benefits-credits-asking-people-change-post-office-accounts-bank-accounts/

and yet there own departments have called it scam

further info via this foi request

https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/338491/response/844261/attach/html/2/FoI%202102.pdf.html

i also did a bit of digging and you can have your uc payment paid into a post office account

https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/345124/response/892524/attach/html/2/2609%20Reply.pdf.html



and another

https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/345218/response/889465/attach/html/3/reply%202616.pdf.html