Link: https://www.rtbf.be/article/des-janvier-2026-fin-des-paiements-des-pensions-et-allocations-de-handicap-par-assignation-postale-tout-n-est-pas-regle-11620630

There are over 7000 unbanked pensioners & people on disability. These people are important to everyone retaining the freedom to be unbanked -- to not be forced into that shitty marketplace. Once they are eliminated, banks will have no competitive pressure to offer good service.

Normally they get paid by postal orders which can then be cashed. The postal orders are being replaced by cheques, which apparently includes a new requirement that they personally travel to the bank or post office to cash it. Some of them will be screwed by their lack of mobility unless they can handle managing a bank account.

If they resist the bank account, they apparently don’t simply get a cheque instead. They must explain why they cannot open a bank account. What if they refuse on moral grounds? Will that be an acceptable excuse?

This is the 16th paragraph translated to English:

** Even the circular check would not be guaranteed for people with disabilities? **

As with pensioners without a bank account, the payment of disability benefits to persons who do not have a personal account number should be made automatically by circular cheque. However, everything is not so simple, as we are explained on the side of the National Superior Council of Persons with Disabilities (CSNPH). "There is the possibility of the circular cheque, but the person must motivate the fact that she still requests a circular cheque and she must explain why she cannot open a bank account," says Gisèle Marlière, the President of the Council, based on the information she received from the Directorate General People with Disabilities. Who's gonna evaluate? What criteria? These are as many questions as we ask ourselves on the CSNPH side. And worrying about a "discreationary" process. The CSNPH Chair is also surprised at the difference in treatment compared to pensioners without bank account.