Benefits and state pension payments will no longer be sent to Post Office card accounts

People who claim benefits or the state pension through the Post Office are being moved onto a new payment method from this week, reports the Mirror.

Post Office card accounts (POca) are being shut down on November 30 after the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) chose not to renew its contract.

This will affect the thousands of people who still use the service as they are shifted onto the Payment Exception service.

The Payment Exception service allows people who do not have a bank account to access their benefit payments via the PayPoint network.

You can take out money using either a payment card, a voucher which is sent through email or a text message where you are sent a unique reference number.

Money can be taken out from PayPoint outlets
(Image: Getty Images)

Any of these methods should be presented at a PayPoint outlet – these are in shops and newsagents – in order to get access to your benefits.

Customers have been moved to the Payment Exception service from the beginning of August this year.

You’ll be moved automatically if you have a Post Office card account and have not contacted the DWP with new bank account details.

Crucially, when the final Post Office card accounts do close, your benefits or state pension payments will not stop. Your payment dates will also not change.

Payment amounts and payment dates will not change
Payment amounts and payment dates will not change
(Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)

The only change is that you will no longer be able to use a Post Office Card account to withdraw your money.

Customers can phone the DWP on 0800 085 7133 (opening hours are 8.30am to 4.00pm, Monday to Friday) to provide new account details for their benefit or State Pension payments.

Eventually, you will also need to tell the Post Office to close your card account.

So remember to get in touch with the DWP if the new service will not work for you.

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