How to use your short breaks pre paid card

Activating your card

You will need to activate your card to be able to use it. Please call the card provider’s automated helpline to do this. PFS card line: 0203 468 4112 or 0203 327 1991 or 0207 183 2248. Your card will not be loaded with funds until it is activated. 

Tracking your funds and balance

You will need to register with the Cardholder Portal to view your account online, just like a debit card account. 

Alternatively you can check your balance by calling the PFS phone number: 0203 468 4112 or 0203 327 1991 or 0207 183 2248

Forgotten PIN 

Please card the PFS card line to request a new pin: 0203 468 4112 or 0203 327 1991 or 0207 183 2248

What the allocation is for

The allocation is for play and leisure activities for your child. You can find out what the allocation can and cannot be used for in the Cardholder Agreement  which can be found on our website. Disabled children's activities (short breaks) 

Examples of Play and Leisure activities that you can use your allocation on include: 

• Classes or groups 
• Swimming
• Yoga
• Cooking sessions
• Dance 
• Drama 
• Football lessons
• Playschemes
• Day trips to museums, Sea World, Legoland
• Membership fees for places of interest like farms, parks or zoos, etc.
• Karate classes
• Child’s entry for days out 
• Cinema, theatre, shows
• Sensory activities and equipment/resources which may support this (if sensory equipment and resources cost will exceed a third of your allocation or £300, please check with the short breaks team first) 
• Soft play and trampoline parks
• Activities for the child while on holiday but not for travel costs or accommodation

What the allocation cannot be used for 

You must not use a short breaks pre paid card to purchase: 

• shopping/grocery or food/drink of any type  
• clothes 
• tobacco or alcohol 
• takeaways or meals 
• travel in any form, including petrol 
• the cost of activities or entrance fees for anyone other than the child in receipt of a Barnet short breaks offer 
• holidays, flights or accommodation 
• therapy, psychologists, counselling
• driving lessons
• pets
• furniture
• computer games, computers, computer consoles, iPads or phones 
• any unmentioned item above which is for personal use and or/gain of the Recipient.  

Or to:

• pay bills of any type 
• pay individuals who do not operate in the delivery of short breaks
• pay for or set up subscriptions without prior agreement from the short breaks team 
• pay for any item above which is for personal use and/or gain of the card holder

If you are unsure as to whether an activity/payment is permitted please contact the short breaks team on short.breaks@barnet.gov.uk before you make any payment.

Card is lost or stolen

Please call the PFS card line to report a lost or stolen card as soon as possible: 0203 468 4112 or 0203 327 1991 or 0207 183 2248

Please also notify the short breaks team by email on short.breaks@barnet.gov.uk so we can add a note to your account and order you a new one, if required.  

Transaction that you do not  recognise (suspected fraud) 

Please card the PFS card line to report this concern as soon as possible: 0203 468 4112 or 0203 327 1991 or 0207 183 2248
Please also notify the short breaks team by email on short.breaks@barnet.gov.uk. 

Card payment has been declined

Please check your card balance, you can do this here Cardholder Portal to view your account, just like a debit card account.

If you had sufficient funds on your account when it was declined, please notify the short breaks team on short.breaks@barnet.gov.uk. You can pay for the activity yourself and transfer the funds from your pre paid account to your account to cover the outlay.  You will need to keep receipts for any payment you make directly. If you have paid directly for activities for your child, please make sure that you reimburse yourself before midday on 28 March to avoid losing the funds. Please retain receipts and submit copies of receipts to short.breaks@barnet.gov.uk as proof of money spent, for audit purposes.