Electronic payment cards and vouchers among alternatives to MiCard under consideration

Remaining MiCards to be withdraw in December, with post office payments ending in March 2027

Electronic payment cards and vouchers issued by Treasury are among the options being considered as an alternative to MiCard for benefits recipients who don't have a bank account.

MiCard payments ended for the majority of users on the Island last year, with a small number continuing to collect payments using the service.

In a report due to be laid before Tynwald this month, Treasury says the remaining MiCard payments will end on 31 December this year.

From 1 January 2027, temporary arrangements are being put in place for MiCard customers to receive the payments by cashing cheques or vouchers issued by Treasury at certain post offices.

However, that will only be a short-term solution ending on 31 March.

In the longer term, Treasury is looking at electronic payment cards which could be used to withdraw cash at ATMs or purchase goods in store and online, or vouchers which could be used in shops or exchanged for cash at certain venues.

Just under 30 residents continue to use the MiCard service, while around 150 choose to collect their payments by cashing cheques at post offices instead of having the funds paid into their bank accounts.