Post Office Card Accounts

DWP on behalf of DfC are issuing final letters to Post Office card account users between July 2021-May 2022. It advises if customers do not provide their bank account details they will start to be moved to a new payment service between the end of August 2021 and May 2022.

Choosing a payment method

Attention Post Office card account customers

Call the dedicated helpline 0800 085 7133for assistance to transfer your POca to a mainstream bank account.

If you do not have a mainstream bank account to get your benefit or pension payments, then now is the time to open a bank, building society or credit union account.

To help you choose a payment method that is right for your circumstances, support services are available via:

• A dedicated helpline 0800 085 7133
• Advice NI on 0800 915 4604 or www.AdviceNI.net 
• Money Helper (previously Money Advice Service) on 0800 138 7777 or www.MoneyHelper.org.uk or
• The Make the Call wraparound Service is available for support and benefits advice.

Cannot open or manage a mainstream bank account?

A new payment exception service has been introduced for customers who cannot open or manage a mainstream bank, building society or credit union account. It is intended as a short-term method of payment only which be replaced as soon as you are able to open a bank/building society, credit union account. Contact your paying benefit or pension department to see if we can open a payment exception service account for you. You can choose to have payments uploaded as a voucher to a payment card or sent by e-mail or text. For more information visit www.nidirect.gov.uk.

Vouchers can be cashed:

• At over 1,100 Paypoint outlets throughout Northern Ireland
• At almost 500 Post Office branches in Northern Ireland from 9 September 2021.