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<p>A necessary period of disruption to the outgoing provider’s service from 5pm on
Friday 21st May 2021 is required to enable the process of transferring card balances
to the new provider ready for use on Monday 24th May 2021 at 9am. Throughout this
period of service disruption over this weekend, service users will be unable to use
their ASPEN card.</p><p>c43,000 new payment cards have been dispatched to date. Comprehensive,
translated advice has accompanied the cards including guidance in relation to the
weekend of 21<sup>st</sup> May. To prepare for this period of service disruption,
we have advised service users to withdraw funds or make purchases needed for the weekend
prior to its commencement.</p><p>We have been communicating with service users directly,
indirectly via our strategic delivery partners and numerous stakeholder representatives
to alert them of the forthcoming period of disruption. We are also working with the
voluntary sector to minimise disruption to the people we support during the period
of service disruption.</p><p>Longstanding arrangements for the provision of Emergency
Cash Payments (ECPs) will not be affected by the period of transition and will remain
available throughout. We have also planned to manage any increased need for ECPs should
this be required.</p><p> </p>
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