Last Chance to Switch Your Post Office Card Account Before Payments Stop!
HMRC Warns 7,500 Customers: Switch Now or Lose Your Benefits
HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) is sounding the alarm for around 7,500 tax credits, Child Benefit, and Guardian’s Allowance customers. After 5 April 2022, HMRC will stop making payments to Post Office card accounts. If you haven’t updated your bank details, you risk missing vital payments.
The Clock Is Ticking: Deadline Extended But Time Running Out
Back in November 2021, HMRC extended the deadline, giving customers extra time until the end of the financial year to switch. This one-off extension meant you could still receive payments to your Post Office card account temporarily — but that grace period is nearly over.
Nearly 138,800 people have already made the switch. The rest – about 7,500 – must act now to avoid disruption.
How To Keep Getting Paid
- Switch payments to a bank, building society, or credit union account.
- If you already have a new account, update your details with HMRC immediately.
- Use your Personal Tax Account or GOV.UK to update Child Benefit and Guardian’s Allowance info.
- Call the Child Benefit helpline on 0300 200 3100 or Tax Credits helpline on 0345 300 3900.
Don’t Miss Out – Here’s What HMRC Says
“We want to make sure that no customer misses out on the benefit payments they are entitled to. If you still need to switch your Post Office card account, contact HMRC to update your bank account details by 5 April,” said Myrtle Lloyd, HMRC’s Director General for Customer Services.
Need Help Opening a New Account?
No bank account? Don’t panic. HMRC advises contacting them ASAP for assistance. Plus, the Money Helper website from Money Advice and Pensions Service is packed with advice on choosing and opening the right current account.
Ignore This Warning and Your Payments Get Paused
Miss the 5 April deadline and your payments will be put on hold until you update HMRC. The government will keep reminding customers, but the ball’s in your court to act fast.
