Two days left for benefit claimants to update payments or money will be stopped

Benefit claimants will no longer be able to get tax credits, Child Benefit and Guardian’s Allowance paid into Post Office card accounts after April 5. Here’s what you need to know

Benefit claimants who have HMRC benefits paid into a Post Office card account have just two days left to redirect their payments.

A huge change means you will no longer be able to get tax credits, Child Benefit and Guardian’s Allowance paid into Post Office card accounts after April 5.

It is important you update your payment details by this date, otherwise HMRC will temporarily hold your payments until you contact them.

Customers can choose to receive their HMRC benefits into a bank, building society or credit union account.

HMRC will stop making these payments into Post Office card accounts on April 6.

The change to Post Office card account payments was due to come into force from November 30 last year.

There were still around 6,800 people getting these benefits paid into Post Office card accounts when HMRC issued an update in mid-March.

Here, we explain what you need to know.

What do I need to do next?

If you already have another bank account set up, you can contact HMRC to let them know your new details.

Your benefit payments will then be sent to this account instead of your Post Office card account.

If you need to set up a new bank account, you should let HMRC know your new details as soon as your new account is up and running.

Have you had trouble setting up a new bank account? Let us know: mirror.money.saving@mirror.co.uk

The amount you receive in benefits and your payment date from HMRC won’t be affected by these changes.

You can update your Personal Tax Account or Child Benefit account online at Gov.uk or by calling 0300 200 3100.

Anyone getting tax credits can change their account details online via Gov.uk by calling the tax credits helpline on 0345 300 3900.

Post Office card accounts are also closing for those who receive benefits from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).

This includes those who receive Universal Credit, the state pension or other DWP benefits.

However, those affected by this change have longer to redirect their payments as the deadline to arrange a new payment is November 30, 2022.

For those who claim benefits from the DWP and who don’t want to open a bank account, you’ll be able to use the Payment Exception Service.

The Payment Exception service allows you to withdraw your cash either by using a payment card, voucher by email, or text message containing a unique reference number.

Either of these methods must be presented at a PayPoint outlet, which are in shops and newsagents, in order to access your benefits.

If you don’t update the DWP with your new details by next November, you’ll automatically be moved onto the Payment Exception Service.

The Payment Exception Service is for DWP benefit claimants only and is not available to those who receive HMRC benefits.