Many blind and partially sighted people contacted RNIB concerned about the loss of cheques as a way of paying for things and if the alternative would be accessible.
The UK Payments Council has just scrapped the closure, saying "Given the continued confusion and alarm that the target date on cheques is causing customers and organisations alike, the Payments Council has decided that cheques will continue for as long as customers need them and the target for possible closure of the cheque clearing in 2018 has been cancelled.
"This announcement is not related to the DWP plans for phasing out GIRO cheques for payment of benefits and pensions scheduled to start in 2012."
Find out more about RNIB's campaign on Benefit and pension payments by cheque.