03/05/2006

Post Office benefit system back on-line

The computer system which deals with benefit payments for the Royal Mail is back on-line, a spokesperson has revealed.

The computer system, which is known as Horizon, crashed yesterday, leaving thousands of people with Post Office accounts unable to withdraw money.

Royal Mail offered an emergency payment of £20 to people left in financial difficulties due to the system malfunction.

Approximately 600,000 people receive money from the benefits system.

The Post Office Card Account can only be used to receive benefit, state pensions and tax credit payments.

This allows account holders to withdraw cash from any Post Office, free of charge.

(EF/SP)

Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

14 November 2024
Alliance Warns Of Post Office Closure Impact On Vulnerable
Alliance Communities spokespeople Sian Mulholland MLA and Kellie Armstrong MLA have warned that the closure of local Crown Post Office branches could disproportionately affect the most vulnerable members of society.
03 June 2008
Four NI Post Offices Spared As 38 Axed
The 'listening' post office has announced it is to heed at least some of the matters raised in its recent public consultation on proposed NI branch closures - and is going to spare a total of four outlets originally earmarked to shut or change status.
02 December 2002
£20m cash boost for rural post offices announced
Rural post offices in Northern Ireland are set to receive more than £6.9 million-a-year for the next three years, in the largest ever government support package for this vital community service. The money is part of a £450 million national fund to safeguard the future of thousands of rural post offices, which was unveiled by the government today.
27 July 2007
Post Office staff to stage walkout
Further postal strikes will continue today with the expected half-day strike of counter staff at nine post offices. The nine post offices affected are in Newtownards, Bangor, Antrim, Coleraine, Londonderry, Lisburn and two in Belfast. The walkout will be the fifth in a continuing dispute over pay and conditions and will begin at 2.30pm.
23 January 2006
Loss of contract could cause Post Office collapse
The Post Office network in Northern Ireland "will collapse" if the plans to change welfare benefit payments are implemented. The warning stems from the government's refusal to renew the £1 billion contract for the Post Office Card Account. This account is used by around 4.