A scheduled campaign to replace MiCards, which enable people to claim their benefits or pension at branches of the Isle of Man Post Office, will begin this month.
All MiCards currently in use will expire on 31 December 2019.
Letters will be sent to all 6,000 users as part of a rolling programme between June and November advising them that their card will need to be replaced and explaining what must be done to ensure the process runs smoothly.
A leaflet has been produced to support customers through the process and posters will be displayed at post office branches to alert people it is taking place.
The campaign is being undertaken to ensure the information held by the Social Security Division remains up to date, valid and accurate. It also fulfils an Isle of Man Government commitment to protect the privacy of personal data it holds about residents.
On receiving their letter, MiCard users must take the following to the branch of Isle of Man Post Office where they usually collect their benefits/pension:
- The letter
- Photographic identification, eg. passport, driving licence or current MiCard
- Proof of address, eg. household bill, bank statement or tenancy agreement
- The photo ID consent form, if choosing the option to have a photo printed on the new MiCard
Following this, a new MiCard will be posted to a customer’s address within four working days. Once it has been received, the card must be activated at the post office.
Ralph Peake MHK, Treasury Member with responsibility for Social Security, said: ‘The programme will begin after TT Week for customers who use Willaston post office, and will be extended across the IoM Post Office network over the next five months.
‘Full support is available and staff will be on hand to help customers through this process, which is essential to ensure the personal data we hold about MiCard users is accurate and up to date.’
If you think you may have difficulty producing proof of identity or proof of address, or have any other query about the replacement programme, call 686287 or email micardenquiries@gov.im
