Collecting pension

Poundnotes

Hello

My mother is in her 70's and currently has no bank account. She collects her pension in cash from the post office. Now with the whole corona virus spreading she is confined to her house. What options does she have with regards to collecting the pension? I'm not that far away and can collect it for her if needs be.

Alter_ego

Is she in the vulnerable group? 70 yr olds are not confined yet unless vulnerable.

Poundnotes

She's not but my stepdad has various health conditions so she's scared to go out in case she brings it back and infects him

Dox

https://www.gov.uk/nominate-someone-to-collect-state-pension

nigelbb

Alter_ego said:

Is she in the vulnerable group? 70 yr olds are not confined yet unless vulnerable.

Those over 70 years of age are recommended to be very strict about social distancing & going to the Post Office to collect a pension is definitely not sensible even if a fit & healthy 70 year old.

Silvertabby

How does she get her pension?  I thought weekly payment books had been phased out and replaced by Post Office benefit account cards some time ago. 

ADD: Just googled it and looks like the pension book ceased to be an option for new pensioners from 2005, so unless your mum is over 75 then she should have a Post Office account card.  Yes, I know that in an ideal world, your mum shouldn't give her card and pin number to anyone, but this would be a way round her current problem. 

Further Add: Did a bit more digging and unless I've got it wrong the paper pension book has long been phased out  in respect of all pensioners, so more than likely that your mum has a cash card.

triplea35

I look after a 90 year old close friend/neighbour. For years now he has trusted me with his Post Office Card and pin number. Our local Post Office knows I'm doing this, they always ask after him. You can withdraw up to £600 in any one day.