There’s a better way to
receive your benefits
Payment Exception Service
The Payment Exception Service is a short-term safety net — not a long-term solution. Open a Suits Me® account in minutes and receive your benefits directly, with no credit check and no proof of address needed.
No credit check · No proof of address · Takes around 3 minutes
130,000+ customers
Accounts opened across the UK
Payment Exception Service
The Payment Exception Service is a short-term safety net — not a long-term solution. Open a Suits Me® account in minutes and receive your benefits directly, with no credit check and no proof of address needed.
No credit check · No proof of address · Takes around 3 minutes
130,000+ customers
Accounts opened across the UK
⚠️ The DWP designed the Payment Exception Service as a last resort. If you are currently on it, your work coach will expect you to open a permanent account as soon as you are able to. Suits Me® can help you do that today.
Accepted ID at PayPoint
Valid UK driving licence
Current passport
Recent utility bill (original)
DWP letter confirming benefit entitlement
⏱ Payments expire after 90 days. If uncollected, you must contact the DWP to reissue — which takes time you may not have.
What is it?
How the Payment Exception Service works
If you claim Universal Credit or another benefit but don’t have a htmlbank accountbank account, the DWP can pay you through the Payment Exception Service. Here’s what that involves.
- DWP issues a payment card, voucher, or text
Each time a payment is due, the DWP issues you a way to collect your money in cash. - You travel to a PayPoint outlet
You take your payment card or voucher to a local newsagent or convenience store with PayPoint. - You show original ID to collect cash
You must bring original proof of identity — not a copy — every time you collect a payment. - You must collect within 90 days
Miss the collection window and the payment expires. You would then need to contact the DWP to reissue it.
The Limitations
Why the Payment Exception Service isn’t a long-term solution
Cash only — no card, no online payments
Everything comes out as cash. You can’t pay bills by Direct Debit, shop online, or make card payments anywhere.
You must travel to collect every payment
Every benefit payment means a separate trip to a PayPoint location. If you’re unwell or lack transport, that’s a real barrier.
Payments expire after 90 days
Miss the collection window and the payment is gone. Reissuing takes time — time you might not be able to afford.
You pay more for everyday life
Without Direct Debits you lose access to the cheapest utility tariffs, monthly billing, and online-only deals — costing hundreds of pounds more a year.
You can’t receive wages from an employer
The Payment Exception Service only handles DWP payments. It can’t receive wages, which makes finding or keeping work much harder.
The DWP expects you to move on from it
DWP guidance is clear — this service is for exceptional circumstances only. Your work coach will ask you to open a proper account as soon as you can.
The Alternative
Everything you need — in a Suits Me® account
Suits Me® is an personal account that works like a bank account for everyday use. No credit check. No proof of address. Open in minutes.
UK account number & sort code
Receive Universal Credit, wages, pension, or any other payment directly into your account.
Free contactless Mastercard®
Pay in stores, withdraw cash at ATMs, and shop online — accepted in over 30 million places worldwide.
Direct Debits & standing orders
Set up automatic payments for rent, energy, phone, and other bills — and access better tariffs as a result.
PayPoint cash top-ups
Still want to use cash? Add money to your Suits Me® account at thousands of PayPoint locations.
Instant cashback at partner retailers
Earn money back automatically when you shop at hundreds of partner brands. No vouchers, no codes.
Mobile app & real-time notifications
Manage your account, freeze your card, and track every payment from your phone — 24 hours a day.
No credit check
Your credit history won’t affect your application. We don’t run credit checks.
Support in 11 languages
Speak to a real person in your own language, Monday to Friday, by phone, email, or live chat.
Free Mastercard® included · Account details issued same day · No credit check
How to switch
Move from the Payment Exception Service in 5 steps
Open your Suits Me® account online
1
Takes around 3 minutes. Done entirely on your phone or computer.
Verify your photo ID
2
Upload a passport, driving licence, or other accepted ID document and a selfie.
Receive your account details
3
Your UK sort code and account number are issued the same day, usually within minutes.
Update your DWP payment details
4
Log into your Universal Credit journal or call 0800 328 5644 and give the DWP your new account details.
Your benefits arrive in your account
5
From your next payment date, money lands directly in your Suits Me® account — no trips to PayPoint needed.
What customers say
Trusted by thousands of people across the UK
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"Suits me was quick, efficient, and easy to use. Through financial problems out of my control I was refused an account everywhere but Suits Me — I was accepted in minutes."
Marc, Suits Me® customer · Verified Trustpilot review
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"What a great account — got my card straight away, easy set up. I struggled getting a card for my wages and this was by far the best. Highly recommend."
Keith, Suits Me® customer · Verified Trustpilot review
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"This was my last chance and I am glad to have an account. Suits Me is a life saver — easy to use, reliable, and the customer service team genuinely care."
Michael, Suits Me® customer · Verified Trustpilot review
Questions answered
Frequently asked questions
Can I receive Universal Credit into a Suits Me® account?
Yes. Suits Me® provides a UK account number and sort code — which is all the DWP needs to pay Universal Credit, State Pension, or other benefits directly into your account.
Do I need a credit check to open a Suits Me® account?
No. Suits Me® does not carry out credit checks. Your credit history — good, bad, or non-existent — will not affect your application.
Do I need proof of address?
No. You need a UK address to receive your card, but it doesn’t need to be in your name or have any bills associated with it. A friend’s, family member’s, or employer’s address is fine.
Will moving to a Suits Me® account affect my benefits?
No. Changing the account your benefits are paid into has no effect on your entitlement. You simply update your payment details with the DWP through your Universal Credit journal or by calling 0800 328 5644.
What if I’m worried about DWP checking my account?
The DWP has powers to check bank and personal accounts as part of their fraud prevention work. This applies to all accounts — not just Suits Me® accounts. If your benefits are legitimate, having them paid into a proper account actually creates a clearer, more traceable record of every payment, which works in your favour.
Can I still use PayPoint once I have a Suits Me® account?
Yes — but differently. Rather than collecting benefits at PayPoint, you can use PayPoint locations to top up your Suits Me® account with cash whenever you need to add money.
How long does it take to open a Suits Me® account?
Around 3 minutes online. Once your identity is verified you receive your UK account number and sort code the same day. Your physical Mastercard® arrives by first class post, usually within a few days.
Related situations
Dealing with other financial challenges too?
Suits Me® supports people in a wide range of difficult financial situations — not just those on the Payment Exception Service.
Related page
Account for bad credit
If a poor credit history is making it hard to open an account elsewhere, find out how Suits Me® can help.
Related page
Second chance account
Been refused by a mainstream bank? Suits Me® was built for people who need a fresh start with their banking.
Ready to move on from
the Payment Exception Service?
Join thousands of people who use Suits Me® as their everyday account. No credit check. No proof of address. Open in minutes.
Free Mastercard® included · Account details issued same day · KYC & AML checks completed on all applications