Today is the final day for thousands of people who have HMRC benefits paid into a Post Office card account to update their payment details - or risk their money being stopped.
HMRC will no longer pay tax credits, Child Benefit and Guardian’s Allowance paid into Post Office card accounts from April 6.
This means today is the final day to switch your payments into another account.
If you don’t update your payment details, HMRC will pause your benefit money until you contact them with your new account.
You can choose to receive your HMRC benefits into a bank, building society or credit union account.
HMRC benefit claimants were originally told they had until November 30 last year to update their details, but this deadline was pushed back to allow people more time to sort out a new account.
There were still around 6,800 people getting HMRC benefits paid into Post Office card accounts, according to the tax office in mid-March.
How to update your payment details
You can contact HMRC to let them know your new details, if you already have another bank account set up.
Your benefit payments will then be sent to this account instead of your Post Office card account.
The amount you get and day you receive your benefits won’t change.
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
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.
