How many people will be affected by the withdraw of cash paid pension

Summary

The IOM WI requested specific numbers and locations of pensioners receiving cash payments ahead of the MiCard service withdrawal in December 2025. The Cabinet Office disclosed that approximately 1,000 pensioners use the service but confirmed it does not hold data regarding their specific localities.

Key Facts

• The MiCard service for collecting cash benefits is scheduled to be withdrawn by December 2025.
• Approximately 1,000 pensioners currently use the MiCard service.
• The total number of individuals using MiCards for all benefits is less than 3,000.
• The Cabinet Office does not hold information regarding the specific locations of cash benefit recipients.
• The requestor was advised to submit a separate Freedom of Information request to the Treasury for further assistance.

Data Disclosed

• December 2025
• less than 3,000
• c1,000
• 17 October 2024
• July 2023
• 20 November 2024
• 6 December 2024

Original Request

The IOM WI is interested in protecting it's members and the local community. And would like Information regarding the number of people and there locality in which pensions are paid in cash. The recent news that this service will be withdrawn by Dec 2025 described as "only a few" we would therefore like to be aware of the impact this may have on our members with location and numbers of people who currently receive a cash payment.

Data Tables (1)

Full Response Text

1

Government Office Douglas Isle of Man IM1 3PN Telephone: (+44) 01624 686244
Website: www.gov.im/co

Our ref: 4268654 6 December 2024

Dear ###

We write further to your request, received 20 November 2024, which states:

"The IOM WI is interested in protecting it's members and the local community.

And would like Information regarding the number of people and there locality in which pensions are paid in cash.

The recent news that this service will be withdrawn by Dec 2025 described as "only a few" we would therefore like to be aware of the impact this may have on our members with location and numbers of people who currently receive a cash payment." While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance the Cabinet Office does not hold some of the information that you have requested.
Cabinet Office holds some information relating to the number of those receiving cash paid benefits, which includes, but is not specific to those receiving pensions. However, this information provides only an approximate figure.
• The following extract is taken from a paper submitted to the Council of Ministers meeting held on 17 October 2024: “The MiCard service is provided by IOM Post. It enables individuals to collect their social security benefits or state pensions in cash at a post office each week, as an alternative to having them paid directly into their bank accounts.

However, the number of benefit recipients who choose to use the MiCard service has reduced significantly in recent years, to some extent caused by the introduction of weekly BACS payments in July 2023. There are now less than 3,000 individuals who collect their benefits through the MiCard service.”

• Additionally, the following extract is taken from the minutes of the Council of Ministers meeting held on 17 October 2024:

“Approximately 3,000 individuals use MiCards currently, pensioners making up c1,000.” 2

Cabinet Office does not hold information pertaining to the location of those who receive cash paid benefits. By way of further advice and assistance, you may wish to submit a freedom of information request to the Treasury.

You can submit a freedom of Information request via the online portal here: https://www.gov.im/about-the-government/freedom-of-information/make-a-freedom- of-information-request/

Alternatively you may contact the Treasury at the following address:

The Treasury Head Office 3rd Floor, Government Offices Bucks Road Douglas IM1 3PZ

Email: treasuryadmin@gov.im

Please quote the reference number 4268654 in any future communications.

Your right to request a review

If you are unhappy with this response to your freedom of information request, you may ask us to carry out an internal review of the response, by completing a complaint form and submitting it electronically or by delivery/post.

An electronic version of our complaint form can be found by going to our website at https://services.gov.im/freedom-of-information/Review . If you would like a paper version of our complaint form to be sent to you by post, please contact me and I will be happy to arrange for this. Your review request should explain why you are dissatisfied with this response, and should be made as soon as practicable. We will respond as soon as the review has been concluded.

If you are not satisfied with the result of the review, you then have the right to appeal to the Information Commissioner for a decision on; 1. Whether we have responded to your request for information in accordance with Part 2 of the Freedom of Information Act 2015; or 2. Whether we are justified in refusing to give you the information requested.
In response to an application for review, the Information Commissioner may, at any time, attempt to resolve a matter by negotiation, conciliation, mediation or another form of alternative dispute resolution and will have regard to any outcome of this in making any subsequent decision. 3 More detailed information on your right to a review can be found on the Information Commissioner’s website at www.inforights.im. Should you have any queries concerning this letter, please do not hesitate to contact me. Further information about freedom of information requests can be found at www.gov.im/foi. I will now close your request as of this date.