A SENIOR North Yorkshire councillor has produced fresh evidence of what has been described as the administrative chaos surrounding changes to the way pensions are paid.

Coun Shelagh Marshall, who acts as older people's champion at County Hall, has highlighted the problems thrown up by a Government decision to phase out pension books over a two-year period ending in March.

The county council executive, which wants clearer information from the Government on methods of pension payments following an official rethink, is pressing the Department of Work and Pensions to describe all the choices available to older people, including receipt of a weekly cheque.

The change from pension books to payments directly into a bank or post office card account has caused fears that some will find the process too complicated and have problems with Pin numbers.

Coun Marshall, who has presented the results of her research to a care and independence scrutiny committee at County Hall, said: "I learned last October that the DWP had finally agreed to send a weekly cheque to some older people to replace their books.

"The cashing of this cheque is as flexible as the book itself. It allows for another to collect the cash from post offices and is far easier for those who have never used a bank account.

"I know of some in North Yorkshire who are keeping their books until March. This will guarantee them a weekly cheque when their books run out, but for most it is too late to make this choice.

"The information in the introductory booklet fails to tell people all the ways in which they can continue to access their pension in cash at their local post office.

"Telephoning for further information does not mean that recipients are informed about the weekly cheque method and pressure is put on individuals to have their pension paid directly into a bank."

The county council executive has requested an urgent review of the information booklet and a publicity campaign on available options.

Council leader John Weighell said the Government had failed to recognise that 56pc of North Yorkshire pensioners chose to use a pension book and preferred to use it to collect from a post office.

"The Government doesn't seem to have taken account of the fact that it is dealing with some of the most vulnerable members of our communities.

"Since the changeover began in April 2003, some pensioners have been put in a very difficult position through no fault of their own as they are asked to change from pension book to bank or post office."

He added: "We believe there is a need for the Government to simplify the application process for a post office card account and to resolve the problems associated with Pin numbers before payment of pensions is transferred.

"For many elderly people who rely solely on the money collected from their local post offices, many banks or building societies are inaccessible.

"If they want to access their account at a post office they are given a telephone number to ring, which is unhelpful to the deaf or hard of hearing.

"For those with sight problems who can't use Pin, only one other person can be given the number, which doesn't help those who rely on a number of relatives and care workers.