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‘I’m getting nowhere’ Monifieth pensioner left stranded by PayPoint problems

Mr Smart.
Mr Smart.

An Angus pensioner has been left without his financial lifeline for over two weeks following a PayPoint machine fault.

Billy Smart has been collecting his pension from the Liquor Store in Monifieth High Street since the giro cheque books were phased out by the Post Office.

However, the 74-year-old has been left penniless in recent weeks after the PayPoint machine in the store failed to work one week and had insufficient funds the following week.

Mr Smart, of Paradise Road, who receives help collecting his pension from the Salvation Army due to his mobility issues, is demanding to know what the problem is and said he is concerned for other pensioners who also use the service.

“The Salvation Army shopper went down last Wednesday and the machine wasn’t working, which meant I got no pension,” said Mr Smart. “The shopper went back down on Wednesday and she was told there was only £50 in the till.

“I got in touch with the Department for Work and Pensions and they said they had withdrawn the service in Monifieth. The alternative shop is in Abercromby Street in Broughty Ferry but the Salvation Army shopper isn’t allowed to go outside their area.

“There’s no bank in Monifieth which means Broughty Ferry is the only alternative. The situation I’m in now is that my boiler has broken down so I have no heating or hot water, I’m not getting my pension and I’m getting nowhere.”

The DWP told The Courier it had received no complaints regarding the PayPoint machine in the shop but apologised for any inconvenience for Mr Smart.

A DWP spokesperson said: “When he called the provider, Mr Smart was informed of an alternative retail outlet where he could use the simple payment service close to where he lives.”

A member of staff at the Liquor Store said that any problems with the PayPoint machine had been resolved yesterday after a representative from the organisation had been to visit the shop.

The staff member said: “Everything is perfect. If people want to come and take out their pension, they can.”

Major Jim McCluskey from the Salvation Army in Forfar said he was just glad that one of his group members had been there to help Mr Smart when needed.

“We were rather concerned that Mr Smart could not access his required finances,” said Mr McCluskey.

“That rung alarm bells with us due to the fact that it was the second week in a row that we had been unable to access his pension for him.

“The more concerning thing was that it left Mr Smart without adequate finances, particularly for things like his shopping.

“We were very glad that under the circumstances we were able to assist Mr Smart from our own resources. The problem would have been if we were not there at that particular time to offer assistance that’s the issue.”

A spokeswoman for PayPoint said the company are investigating the claims and are requesting a report from the Liquor Store.