Concern for MiCard users without bank accounts

Service to be switched off at the end of the year

Tynwald members have urged The Treasury to ensure the thousand-plus people still with MiCards have bank accounts to transfer to, or alternative ways of collecting their payments.

The card service - which allows people to collect their benefits or pension in cash at Isle of Man Post Office branches - will be shut down at the end of the year.

Treasury Minister Alex Allinson says work is still needed to find out who requires what.

But members say definite solutions are needed.

John Moss reports:

The treasury minister says his department has written to all the recipients of benefits who use the MiCards asking them if they need any advice.

The Social Security Division is offering one-to-one support and there's a dedicated phone line for those who may not be able to access bank accounts and may struggle with the transition. 

Alex Allinson says: "People will be told of the alternatives as soon as possible and well before Christmas, and certainly in terms of fund transfers from the existing system - we will arrange that, whichever alternative they want to take up."

MiCard users with questions about the transition can contact the Social Security Division via email at socialsecurity@gov.im or by calling 685 656.