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<p>The Government’s contract for the Post Office card account comes to an end on 30
November 2021. For those claimants and pensioners who are unable to open a mainstream
account ahead of this date, 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 contract. When commissioning this alternative
payment service, it will be our priority to ensure that elderly vulnerable people
are protected and catered for.</p><p> </p><p>Our communications with Post Office card
account users will highlight that 99% of a banks’ personal customers, are able to
withdraw cash, deposit cash and cheques, and make balance enquiries at a Post Office
counter via its network of 11,600 branches. Therefore, those receiving benefit and
pension payments into a bank account can continue to collect their money from the
Post Office so there should be minimal effect on elderly people in rural areas. We
have already introduced a phased conversion process ahead of 2021 and we will be writing
to all Post Office card account users to ensure they are provided with an alternative
payment service.</p>
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