The Post Office card account

geordie_joe

How do you get one of these?

Their web site mentions them but not how to get one. I can only get to a post office on Fridays and Saturdays, so asking in here is probably the quickest way to find out.

fermi

That's the one that you can only get benefits paid into.

If I remember correctly you have to get a "letter of invitation" or something similar from one of the benefit agencies before the Post Office will open one.

nicki672

http://www.postoffice.co.uk/portal/po/jump1?catId=19400177&mediaId=34100665&campaignid=HMIML2

You can apply on-line halfway down on the right.

geordie_joe

nicki672 wrote: »

http://www.postoffice.co.uk/portal/po/jump1?catId=19400177&mediaId=34100665&campaignid=HMIML2

You can apply on-line halfway down on the right.

Sorry but I can't see it, that link leads to a credit card page. Fermi is right, it's the one to get benefits only paid into it.

fermi

If you mean the account for benefits rather than a different one then:

From: http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyTaxAndBenefits/BenefitsTaxCreditsAndOtherSupport/BeginnersGuideToBenefits/DG_10021388

Post Office Card Account

To open a Post Office® card account, you need to fill in an application form (available at the Post Office®). Once you've filled it in, you'll need to hand it back to the Post Office® so that they can open the account for you.
However, to get the application form, you need to have a letter of invitation. If you don't already have one (you may have been sent one with other Direct Payment information) you can ask for one from the Department for Work and Pensions on 0800 107 2000. Lines are open 8.00 am to 9.00 pm Monday to Friday, and 9.00 am to 5.00 pm on Saturdays and Sundays.

geordie_joe

fermi wrote: »

If you mean the account for benefits rather than a different one then:

Thanks, that's exactly what I meant.

obbig

Is there anyone who can help with a query about how the Post Office Card account operates. My wife has one of these for her pension, and we have noticed that the "available balance" is often much less than the "account" balance" on the little receipt that is printed out at the counter when she makes a withdrawal. The last one had £450 and £641 respectively.
Why should they be different. Surely the money is only paid in by bank transfer and should be available the same day?
Can anyone explain this?
regards obbig

JaneDoeJohnDoe

obbig wrote: »

Is there anyone who can help with a query about how the Post Office Card account operates. My wife has one of these for her pension, and we have noticed that the "available balance" is often much less than the "account" balance" on the little receipt that is printed out at the counter when she makes a withdrawal. The last one had £450 and £641 respectively.
Why should they be different. Surely the money is only paid in by bank transfer and should be available the same day?
Can anyone explain this?
regards obbig

I think there is a limit to how much you can take out per day. Hence "avail bal" is not same as "acct bal". Not that i've ever come close to it! :eek::rotfl: