Universal credits and bank cards

maxmycardagain

How can a homeless person due out of prison claim benefits with no phone, bank account or address?
She has been the victim of domestic abuse and will be on the streets when released with not even the price of a cup of tea.
Please don't judge. 

[Deleted User]

Depending on the length of time spent in prison they should get a small amount of cash when they are released, help is usually available before release and sometimes accommodation can be found.

tomtom256

Did her prison work coach not sort a claim out. normally done a few weeks before release (appreciate may not owing to coronavirus)? Did she not get the grant they give on release and can you not help them?

They will need access to a bank account for any benefit payments, but can use normally use a third party account for a short while. Freephone number so can use any phone and can use their local jobcentre address if needed or a care of address.

maxmycardagain

She only got 16 weeks custodial, the prison wanted her out May 1st due to CV19 but that's doubtful now 

born_again

HSBC were introducing accounts for homeless people. Not sure if its up and running though.

montyrebel

are post office card accounts still a thing? she may be able to put her address down as local benefits office but am not sure

tomtom256

montyrebel said:

are post office card accounts still a thing? she may be able to put her address down as local benefits office but am not sure

No I belive they have stopped them.

sheramber

 Post Office card accounts  will run until the present contract ends in 2021. After that  who knows?

45002

sheramber said:

 Post Office card accounts  will run until the present contract ends in 2021. After that  who knows?

https://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/written-questions-answers-statements/written-question/Commons/2019-03-20/234759/.

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There is payment exception service.

https://www.gov.uk/payment-exception-service

The Payment Exception Service is a way for people who do not have a bank account to collect benefit or pension payments. They’re only available in very limited circumstances.

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