HMRC warn benefits claimants may not be paid as Post Office card accounts close down

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https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north- ... t-23468475

Customers have until April 5 to switch or face missing payments amid the cost of living crisis

HMRC is set to stop making payments to Post Office card accounts in April, with thousands of customers still needing to switch so they don’t miss out on vital payments. Changes are due to come into force from April 5, meaning Post Office account customers who receive tax credits, child benefit or guardian's allowance payments must notify HMRC of their new account details soon.

Customers can choose to receive their benefit payments to a bank, building society or credit union account. If they already have an alternative account, they can contact HMRC now to update their details. They have just two weeks to do so to continue receiving their money without interruption.

If a customer misses the deadline, their payments will be paused until the customer notifies HMRC of their new details. These could be vital funds for families and individuals, due to the rise in the cost of living, and HMRC wants to make sure no-one loses out.


Myrtle Lloyd, HMRC’s Director General for Customer Services said: “Time is running out and we want to make sure that no customer misses out on the benefit payments they are entitled to. If you still need to switch your Post Office card account, contact HMRC to update your bank account details.”

About 6,800 Post Office card account customers need to transfer their account by 5 April 2022. HMRC has been writing to affected customers since October 2019 to notify them that their Post Office card accounts will be closing and urging them to take action.

Child Benefit and Guardian’s Allowance customers can use their Personal Tax Account to provide revised account details, change their bank account details via GOV.UK or by contacting the Child Benefit helpline on 0300 200 3100.

Tax credits customers can change their bank account details by contacting the tax credits helpline on 0345 300 3900. If customers cannot open a bank account, they should contact HMRC.

The Money Helper website, provided by the Money Advice and Pensions Service, offers information and advice about how to choose the right current account and how to open an account.