IT is simply not true that the new method of paying benefits and pensions is inconvenient and unsafe.

Residents of Himbleton House in Worcester were reported (Evening News, May 27) as being worried about handing out their pin numbers so that other people can withdraw money for them.

But if they have a regular carer they trust they can simply nominate this person as their "agent" to collect their money for them.

This is no different from the old system where people unable to get to the Post Office could arrange for someone to sign their order book on their behalf.

The only difference is that having benefits paid directly into an account is far safer than the order book system - every week more than a hundred pensioners have their order books stolen.

The advantage of Direct Payment is that you won't have to carry lots of cash with you - you decide how much money you take out and where you withdraw it.

More than half of all pensioners are already paid directly into an account and have no problems.

But we do recognise that some people may find the changes daunting. That is why we are introducing the changes gradually. Pensioners do not need to do anything until they receive a personal letter over the next year or so.

This letter clearly sets out the account choices and helps people to decide which account is right for them.

The most important thing to remember is that pensioners will still be able to collect the same money from the same place at the same time as they do now.

SIMON BALLINGER,

Department for Work and Pensions,

Birmingham.