Disability and Banking

YorkshireStarlet

Why don’t all High Street banks offer the service of delivering cash, particularly to disabled customers , as most of them offer the service of delivering travel money? With local branches closing, it’s often difficult to find a branch that’s convenient even if you have a vehicle. I recently wanted to withdraw some cash and the large branch at a local shopping centre, which was very convenient for parking , has closed, my other options involve parking roadside, which is quite dangerous for me and not convenient. I rang my Bank and asked the question, if you deliver travel money, why can’t you deliver Sterling cash? It’s the same process.. the solution I was offered was to 1. drive to the nearest branch which for me is in the city centre, this isn’t convenient for me and not something I would feel comfortable doing or 2. transfer the money to another person, get them to withdraw the money from their bank, and bring the cash to me.
This seems like a ludicrous solution in 2026 and at least two other High Street banks offer the service. Even if I have a trusted person who could do this for me , why should somebody else be inconvenienced to that extent, and how does that enable me to maintain my independence when I’m involving somebody else in a cash transaction which is my personal business and depending on them going to the bank when it’s convenient to me and withdraw the cash to deliver to me?

soolin

I'm not sure this is quite the issue it's being made out to be.

Can you get to an ATM as they are often on the outside of buildings that have parking relatively close by . I person I know who uses 2 sticks to walk goes to the local supermarket earlyish in the morning before it gets really busy and parks by the ATM to withdraw cash easily. They do sometimes switch to evenings in the summer when it stays light longer but they do always prefer to do it in the light but when it's not busy.

The other issue is why is a lot of cash needed? I can understand the odd bit for incidentals, like asking a neighbour to get you some bread or milk or such like in an emergency, but why else is it an essential on a regular basis? A lot of places don't even take it anymore, and even the tradespeople we have used recently either bring a card reader or ask for bank transfer after the work has been completed.

I also imagine the costs of sending cash through the post would put a great many people off of using a service even if it was provided.

akm2018

Regardless of the rights or wrongs (and haven't the government just reminded us we should be keeping some cash for emergencies?!), it is an interesting inconsistency that financial providers are happy to deliver foreign cash ("travel money", it's just money!) by post but not sterling.

flaneurs_lobster

Delivering foreign currency, or anything else, will have the cost of delivery either explicitly stated or be built into the exchange rate.

Would the OP be happy paying what would be significant charges for some kind of secure delivery service?

soolin

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82184049#Comment_82184049

The suggestion to keep money in the house is a one off, it is unlikely to be a regular thing. make an effort to draw a single lump sum out and that’s it, don’t spend it and just keep for emergencies.

sheramber

.Can you get cash from a local post office?

whizzywoo

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82184033#Comment_82184033

The opening post hasn't said a lot of cash is needed. It's surprising how small amounts paid regularly do mount up though. I find that the following always want to be paid in cash: hairdressers, window cleaners, my cleaner, gardner etc.

The point is that many banks no longer cater for disabled people. Yes there are ATMs but I never feel safe using them and if you are on crutches or in a wheelchair it can be quite a difficult maneuver to do:

Opening your wallet/purse to get the card out safely.

Putting the card into the machine if you can reach the slot.

Putting the number into the screen whilst making sure no one sees it.

Trying to see what's on the screen especially in bright sunlight.

Putting the card back in the wallet/purse.

Checking the correct money has been dispensed.

Putting the money safely into said wallet/purse.

All the above whilst you are also negotiating your crutches, wheelchair, or maybe your hands aren't very steady, you have poor sight, etc. etc. And making sure the local yobs don't think you are any easy target to mug.

beanielou

Amazed any banks deliver cash. If I can’t manage to get to the cash machine I transfer the money to a friend & they draw out the money & drop it off. Unfortunately being disabled means thinking out of the box sometimes & coming up with solutions.

Savvy_Sue

How much are we talking about each time? I know I can withdraw as much via the Post Office as I can via a cashpoint, and it's more than enough for regular daily needs. Usually I withdraw £50 at a time, and I'd be able to do that via Cashback when shopping - or it's possible my local pub still offers this service!

Cyclamen

For me the hardest part as a wheelchair user with cashpoint is seeing the screens/ buttons as they are designed to be viewed from higher up along with getting a lift, parked up, wheelchair out, transferring in and out of car.. its all extra work, energy and often symptoms

The "ask a friend to do it" reply is really quite a hard one for many in the disabled community. Long term chronic illness and disability can be isolating, often friends live online or are also disabled and unable to help.
Care staff shouldnt be given bank cards due to most agency policies and common sense etc and sadly there are cases of things going wrong.

I do keep cash in a purse for my PA and carers to use. It can be tricky getting the cash out as everything is digital now. So i have to have a way of getting cash in smallish amounts out to keep the carer purse topped up without keeping a big lump of cash in the house. I also have a prepayment card that is used only for PA/carers so that i dont have to give them my bank card for places that no longer accept cash.

I've found even the local bank in town will send me to cashpoint to take cash out, they can put a temporary disregard if you need more than your withdrawal limit.

I'm not really sure there is a solution.. i wouldnt pay to have money delivered to my home .. do shops still do cashback?

if its a larger quantity for a one -off big cash purchase it might be worth the extra work to get cash.

Do you have any local banks you can access.. i swapped banks when i moved as my usual branch was on a difficult bit of road for wheelchair use (camber and gradient) so that might be an option if this is a re-occuring problem

Muttleythefrog

Are you creating a problem for yourself. Why do you need cash… how often… what sort of amount. If you do genuinely need regular cash then a solution I'm sure can be found especially given all the locations other than banks you might be able to get cash. Regarding foreign currency… the banks like post office will generate revenue from it by likely charging or offering poor rates…. delivering someone £50 in cash would be expensive especially if rolled out across the nation… they'd need thousands of delivery staff I imagine… they're banks not a delivery service.

Cash is less used….cash is an inconvenience in many respects for all involved with it from business to individuals. So I'd definitely look to using it less if you're finding it less accessible.