If you are used to collecting your benefits or state pension from your Post Office Card account you may find, in the not too distant future, that you cannot access your funds any more. The Post Office Card account is to close, for good, on 1 December 2021 and the Department for Work and Pensions has advised all account holders to close their accounts.
This change is happening because the government's contract with the Post Office for the service will end on 30 November 2021. Over 900,000 have made use of this service to collect their pension and benefit payments.
You should have been notified during the last three years of the change to the system by the Department for Work and Pensions. The letter you should have received will detail all options available to you. If you have not responded to this letter you will be written to again before November 2021.
If you have not made changes to your payment don't worry because your pension and benefit payments will not stop and the payment dates will not change. The only difference will be that you cannot use your Post Office card account to withdraw your cash. If you are still using your Post Office account to collect your benefits you should notify the relevant government department, as soon as possible, with the new account details into which you wish your benefits or pension to be paid. If you do not have an account you need to open one with a bank, building society or credit union. If you are unable to open an account contact the government department dealing with your benefits for further assistance.
And, don't forget, to close your Post Office Card account. You can complete a closure form at your local post office or call 0345 722 33 44
