Post Office to deliver cash to most vulnerable customers during coronavirus lockdown

SOME vulnerable people who are shielding at home can now get their cash delivered, thanks to a new service from Post Office.  

It’s free to have money delivered for those who are unable to leave the house and don’t have any other way of accessing it.

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The service has been created in partnership with the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to help the most vulnerable people who are confined to their homes because of the coronavirus outbreak.

To start with it will only be available to those with a Post Office Card Account, of which there are 27,000 customers, who are also shielding at home.

When cash is requested it will then arrive by 9pm the next day.

There is a limit of £2,500 per delivery and the money will be sent via Royal Mail Special Delivery.

The National Shielding Service is working with the DWP to contact those who may be struggling to get access to their cash. 

Those aged 70 or over, or people who have underlying health conditions, have been asked to shield at home.

The government is warning people to avoid using cash when they can in order to slow the spread of the coronavirus.

Therefore this service is only for those with no other options, such as being able to transfer money online or having a a trusted person pick the money up.

Last week Post Office said it would let vulnerable people nominate a trusted person to collect their cash if they were shielding because of the virus.

Those with a card account typically do not have a bank account.

Instead they would normally take their card to a post office and show it in order to then draw out their cash - usually a state pension. 

Post Office’s foreign exchange cash delivery arm is currently closed, so this is being utilised for the new service.  

Guy Opperman, the Minister for Pensions and Financial Inclusion, said: "We’re doing whatever it takes to ensure people are supported through these unprecedented times. 

“This joint initiative enables us to reach out directly to those most likely to need support, and get cash delivered to their door where necessary.

“Thanks to the hard work of DWP and Post Office staff, vulnerable customers can rest assured there is help available if they need it."

Nick Read, Chief Executive at the Post Office, said: “I am delighted that Post Office has been able to switch its travel money delivery business to get cash directly to those that need it most. 

“Working with the DWP we are able to help some of the most vulnerable in our society, including those who have been asked to shield themselves at home, with the ability to deliver cash directly to their door.” 

The Post Office has more than 11,500 branches across the UK - you can find your nearest one here.

While the vast majority of stores remain open, some have had to close at short notice due to staff illnesses or needing to self-isolate.

Some stores have also had to reduce their opening hours, while posters and floor makers have also been put up to help customers with social distancing.

Several banks have changed their policies because of the outbreak, including giving out interest-free overdrafts.

Some vulnerable people are staying up until 3am to book online shopping deliveries.

Free laptops are now available to some low-income families.