That’s because from 5 April 2022, the tax office will stop making payments of child benefit, guardian’s allowance and tax credits into Post Office card accounts.

With the deadline approaching, HMRC is urging people to act now so they still get their money on time.

Claimants originally had until the end of November to give HMRC their new account details but the deadline was then extended until the end of the financial year.

The one-off extension to the contract meant customers could temporarily continue to receive their payments into their Post Office account, giving them extra time to set up new accounts and notify the department.

Nearly 138,800 customers have already switched their accounts and provided HMRC with updated bank account details. But time is running out for about 7,500 benefit claimants still to act.

Claimants can choose to receive their benefit payments to a bank, building society or credit union account. If they already have an alternative account, they can contact HMRC now to update their details.

Myrtle Lloyd, HMRC’s director general for customer services, said: “We want to make sure that no customer misses out on the benefit payments they are entitled to. If you still need to switch your Post Office card account, contact HMRC to update your bank account details by 5 April.”

Child benefit and guardian’s allowance claimants can use their Personal Tax Account to provide revised account details, change their bank account details via Gov.UK or by contacting the child benefit helpline on 0300 200 3100.

Tax credits claimants can change their bank account details by contacting the tax credits helpline on 0345 300 3900. If people can’t open a bank account, they should contact HMRC.

If a claimant misses the 5 April deadline, their payments will be paused until the customer notifies HMRC of their new account details.