Thousands of Brits who have HMRC benefits paid into a Post Office card account have just weeks left to redirect their payments.
HMRC will stop paying tax credits, Child Benefit and Guardian’s Allowance payments into Post Office card accounts from April 5, 2022.
If you don't redirect your benefits by this date, 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.
The change to Post Office card account payments was due to come into force from November 30 last year.
It was pushed back to allow more people time to arrange a new payment method.
There were still around 13,000 people getting these benefits paid into Post Office card accounts in November 2021.
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.
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.
Are you worried about Post Office card accounts closing? Let us know: mirror.money.saving@mirror.co.uk
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.
Should I close my Post Office card account?
If you’ve already arranged for your benefit payments to be sent elsewhere, you can ask the Post Office to close your account ahead of the relevant deadline.
But you should only do this once you have received your first benefit payment to an alternative account so that you know you're still receiving your money.
When you're ready to close your account, fill in a P6703 form at your local Post Office.
You can also call the Post Office on 0345 722 33 44 for help with closing your account.
