§ David WrightTo ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will make a statement on the process a customer will go through to ensure benefits are paid into(a) a new Post Office card account and (b) a bank account, when their DWP benefit book ends. [84290]
§ Mr. McCartneyThe Department is contacting customers and providing them with information (including letters and leaflets) which clearly sets out the account options as part of the move to Direct Payment. Customers will then be able to consider the options available and choose the account that best meets their needs and circumstances. They will be asked to provide details of their chosen account so that the Department can begin to pay their benefit or pensions by Direct Payment.
Those who wish to use an existing account will simply need to provide their account details. DWP will issue a Personal Invitation Document (PID) to customers who choose to open a Post Office card account. This document is taken to a Post Office branch where the customer will be given a Post Office card account application form.