Treasury Minister Chris Thomas says 34 benefit claimants continue to use a MiCard, as the government phases out the service in a cost-saving move.
All existing cards expired on December 31 2025, with a few extensions for people unable open bank accounts.
In a detailed answer, Mr Thomas outlined efforts to transition 629 affected users to bank accounts or alternative payments.
“This was headed MiCard service. Please take action,” he said, quoting a final warning letter sent to remaining users.
Banks
The minister reported that local branches of major banks agreed to accept a Social Security verification letter to help those without standard documentation open accounts.
Of the original 629 users, 34 whom the Social Security Division are satisfied “do not have a bank account or would not be able to use a bank account have been issued with a new my card”.
He said about 60 people were assisted in opening bank accounts.
For those who did not engage, payments have switched to government cheques. The number receiving cheques has fallen from 211 to 194 since January.
Finances
Julie Edge questioned the financial logic. Noting the annual £500,000 system cost, she calculated the current cost for the 34 exception users at nearly £14,700 per person.
“My recollection was that the system to keep it switched on was half a million pounds, 500,000 is that correct for 34 people?” Ms Edge asked.
“Why are we replacing a card with a when we know these costs of 500 were going to be there for a year anyway, and could that not have been phased in?”
Mr Thomas defended the decision, confirming the £500,000 annual saving from “reduced software maintenance and transactions costs”.
He clarified that his reference to a replacement was part of a “prior information notice for the wider project” and not a direct like-for-like substitute.
Lawrie Hooper also raised concerns about monitoring vulnerable individuals who may struggle to cash cheques with Mr Thomas asserting that activity was being tracked.
He added that the Treasury is “continuing to explore longer term alternative payment solutions for those who don’t have bank accounts” and promised to provide further details to Tynwald by May 2026.