Post office Account Cards - Universal Credit

The Post Office has not issued any advice, written or otherwise, to Post Office card account users over the past five years regarding options to transfer onto alternative products.

The DWP has written to customers who use the Post Office card accounts to encourage them to receive payment into a mainstream account. This is part of our policy of reducing reliance on payment exception services and promoting financial inclusion through the use of mainstream accounts. Mainstream accounts offer more features and reduce the cost to the taxpayer. One of the key messages we highlight, is that 99% of banks’ personal accounts enable customers to withdraw cash, deposit cash and cheques, and make balance enquiries at a Post Office counter via its network of 11,600 branches.

For those claimants and pensioners who are unable to open a mainstream account, the DWP will implement an alternative payment service that allows users to obtain cash payments in their local area (including suburban and rural locations) before the end of the Post Office card account contract in November 2021.

All DWP letters provide a free telephone number where the customer can call to discuss their payment options further and change their method of payment over the telephone. A copy of these letters will be placed in the House of Commons Library.

As we approach the end of the Post Office card account contract, the DWP and POL will work together to issue joint guidance on Post Office card account user’s options, to transfer to other payments methods.

Non Deficere wrote:How UC, PIP, ESA and JSA payments are made ...

The Post Office contract ends in 2021, but can be extended to 2024.

https://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/written-questions-answers-statements/written-question/Commons/2017-10-19/108721

Pintel wrote:

Non Deficere wrote:How UC, PIP, ESA and JSA payments are made ...

The Post Office contract ends in 2021, but can be extended to 2024.

https://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/written-questions-answers-statements/written-question/Commons/2017-10-19/108721

I was just wondering with the current state of things with the Covid situation . Has there been any changes in the Post office card account? #Non Deficere commented "The contract ends in 2021, but can be extended to 2024"... While it isn't the end of the year yet, getting information out of the DWP can be a slow process to say the least. Hence the reason for my posting .

Pintel wrote:On a side note, is there a fund if claimants need purchase a form of ID to open a Bank account. As utility bills are only one form of excepted ID, and might need a passport etc. Which costs some money, not exactly the JCP saving people money is it?

Pintel wrote:Thanks #Welfarechampion.

The other concern i have is the rumours, that the banks may get rid of Free Banking, while they make their money fron paying virtually no interest on current accounts etc... However, charging claimants for a bank account, when they have no choice but to have there payment via this method, seem somewhat cruel to me🧟.

Pintel wrote:

For more information, search for Payment Exception Service at www.gov.uk.  "
Doesn't say if you can use these at the post office counter . I have took some photos of the letter, but the image might not be too clear, so see attached .

Pintel wrote:Talking of bank accounts, does anyone know the regulation's with regards to how long before you are able to open a basic account. After being made bankruptcy/DRO/insolvency etc?

Pintel wrote:Talking of bank accounts, does anyone know the regulation's with regards to how long before you are able to open a basic account. After being made bankruptcy/DRO/insolvency etc?

jobberpw wrote:This was put out recently but we know how clear they are with guidance . This may have already changed or about to. Banks need to give their high street cash points a damn good scrubbing.