Pre paid cards for pensioners

homelyn

Hi guys
Here’s my problem:

We have an elderly aunt who is housebound and asks a couple of helpers to get shopping in for her at local shops, usually less than £30 .

We don’t want to give cash as the aunt has a problem getting to a bank for cash and we live a distance from her, so, is there a card of some kind we can load with money then allow one or two people to use it at local shops (M&S, Aldi etc) something like the Optimum mastercard or does each helper (there are about 6 helpers) have to have a card each.

Has anyone else had this problem , I am sure there are, and if so have you found an answer please?

Thanks for looking

Eric

MrsWenger

Hi Eric,

I have not been in this position myself but would a Revolut card meet your needs?

Best wishes,

Tracey

eDicky

Do you mean a single card taken out in the name of your aunt or yourself, to be handed to particular helpers by your aunt when it's their turn to go for the shopping?

The Optimum card has various fees, and I think it needs to be topped up by the holder only.

I would suggest Loot, which I am using myself. Zero fees for anything except £1 per ATM withdrawal after the first two free per month. Contactless card (so perhaps no need to give the PIN), and can be administered online or by smartphone app. It provides a personal sort code and account number to receive funds by Faster Payment from third parties.

https://loot.io

xylophone

You might load a M&S gift card that could be given to Auntie to give to the helper and topped up as necessary.