Do you receive benefits or pension payments by cheque?
Don't be forced to move from cheque payments to a bank or building society account or a Post Office Card Account.
If you receive your benefit or pension payments by cheque you may have already received a letter from the DWP telling you that cheques are being phased out soon and urging you to provide account details into which your payments can be made.
There are a few things you need to know. Although cheques are being phased out, this isn't happening soon, it is unlikely to happen before mid 2011. Also, most importantly, DWP will put in place another way for you to receive your payments other than by bank or building society accounts and the Post Office Card Account if you are currently receiving cheques. We don't yet know what this alternative will be, but the Government have said that it must be accessible to blind and partially sighted people and won't rely on PIN numbers.
If you don't want to move to an account you have the right to continue to receive cheques until they are phased out and can then choose to be paid by the alternative method. If you have received a letter about this we would strongly advise you to contact DWP to explain that you wish to continue to receive cheques until the new payment method is in place.
Contact us
RNIB would like to hear from any blind or partially sighted people who, having contacted DWP about this, have been told that they have no option but to move from cheque to payment through a bank or Post Office Card Account.
If you have any queries or would like to contact us please call our helpline on 0303 123 9999.