If you’ve been issued a voucher, you can present it quickly and easily at over 30,000 PayPoint locations across the UK, so you’ll never have to travel far. With many of our stores open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year you have the flexibility to visit at your convenience.
Whether you’ve received a text, physical voucher or email, PayPoint can process your vouchers hassle-free so you can receive the funds you need straight away.
The Payment Exception Service is a way for the government to deliver benefit and pension payments to people who cannot use a bank account.
Department for Work and Pensions typically sends you the payment as a digital voucher by text or email, or through a payment card, and you can take these into a PayPoint store and collect the money in cash with proof of identity. This service provides a secure way to receive Universal Credit and State Pension for claimants who prefer in person collection or who need a secure alternative to a bank transfer.
Yes, you can. 99% of the UK population live within one mile of a PayPoint store. Many stores open early ‘til late, 365 days a year providing flexibility of receiving payments, and making it convenient to fit into your daily routine. Our locations include newsagents, supermarkets, convenience stores and petrol stations.
Collecting your money is simple. All you need to do is bring your voucher or payment card to the counter. Staff will confirm the amount and hand you your cash. You will then receive a receipt for each voucher collected.
Department for Work and Pensions will give you one of the following:
These vouchers act as your payment, and the value is set by Department for Work and Pensions. You can redeem several vouchers in a single visit to a PayPoint store.
Use these steps to collect your money.
You can ask a trusted person to collect your voucher payment. They must bring the email, SMS or payment card and present ID for you and them.
Something went wrong. Please try again.
The Department for Work and Pensions decides eligibility. It is usually offered to people who cannot open or manage a bank account.
You may receive them by SMS, by email as PDFs or through a payment card in the post. Department for Work and Pensions will tell you which method you will use.
Yes. You can bring all your vouchers to the store and collect the full amount in one payment.
Yes. You should choose someone you trust and give them your voucher or payment card. They should bring ID if Department for Work and Pensions has asked for identification.
Vouchers expire after 90 days and are returned to Department for Work and Pensions. You should contact Department for Work and Pensions directly to discuss any missed payment.
Department for Work and Pensions will contact you if this service is suitable for your situation. They decide who uses it and how payments will be issued.
For general support, or if you card is lost or stolen, please visit the dedicated page for Payment Exception Service on the government website.
Go to GOV.UK
If you don’t have online access, you can use the Payment Exception Service helpline, who run this service on behalf of the office that pays your benefit.
Call free on: 0800 0152 902
Monday to Friday: 8am - 8pm
Saturday: 8am – 6pm
Sunday: 10am – 4pm
Bank holidays in England and Wales: 9am – 6pm