‘Clarity needed for pensioners over Post Office accounts’

SDLP Social Justice Spokesperson, Mark H Durkan MLA has called for clarity from the Department for Communities on Post Office (POca) accounts and the establishment of a Payment Exemption Service.

The Department’s contract with the Post Office is due to end on November 2021 and customers have received letters encouraging them to switch to an alternative bank or building society.

However, full detail on the Department’s payment exemption service is yet to be provided.

Said the Foyle MLA: “The cancellation of the contract between the Department for Communities and the Post Office has been in the pipeline for quite a while but is due to come to an end November 2021.

“The Department had previously announced the development of a payment exemption service, detail of which is yet to be provided.

“For many pensioners the Post Office account is a simple and trusted method and has proved very effective to date- many of whom prefer this option to the mainstream account and banking services.

“Many individuals will have received reminder letters in recent days, encouraging them to switch to an alternative payment service.

“Following numerous questions to the Department and Communities Minister in recent years about the Post Office contract, I had hoped their replacement exemption service, in line with their aim for greater financial inclusion, would prove as easy to navigate for service-users going forward.

“Having dealt with numerous queries about the upcoming changes, the prolonged uncertainty surrounding these accounts has caused a great deal of confusion and stress for a lot of vulnerable people.

“Yet it would appear the department are no further forward in their development of this payment exemption service as detail around the practicalities and workings of this service has not been published.

“This will only serve to exacerbate anxieties for many vulnerable people.

“Furthermore, with the added complications of the pandemic, including the closure of banks’ local branches and continued shielding for many within this vulnerable category, the closure of Post Office accounts could not have come at a worse time.

“I have sought an update on the payment exemption service from Minister Hargey.

“I hope that full details can be given, to provide these individuals with some degree of certainty during what has already been a difficult year.”

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