Bench waitlist is Now Open
to invitation holders

When the grid fails, money stops moving.

ATMs die. Terminals go dark. Even neobanks go offline.
No grid. No payment. No access to essentials.

ATMs die. Terminals go dark.
Even neobanks go offline.
No grid. No payment.
No access to essentials.

But Bench Essential^© keeps working when the grid doesn’t.

Bench Essential©_{(patent pending)} is a paid Bench option that ensures

payments remain operational between members
during total grid and internet outages.

Why we created Bench Essential^©

We discovered that four in five Americans are concerned about major electrical grid or internet failures, including those caused by natural disasters.

Most grid failures last only hours—not weeks—but they can completely disable digital payments.
Nothing like Bench Essential exists today, so given the stakes, we had to build it.
Our Bench Essential patent-pending design allows you to continue making essential transactions during both short interruptions AND prolonged outages when card terminals, ATMs, or banking networks are offline.

Our commitment to stopping biodiversity loss through everyday spending remains unchanged. Bench Essential simply adds the peace of mind that you can continue buying essentials in your local community during grid failures or network disruptions.

Is it for me?

If you’re concerned about not being able to pay or receive payment for essentials during major power outages or internet failures, then Bench Essential is right for you.

Hopefully, you’ll never need it, but if you do, you don’t have to learn how it works during a crisis. You just continue using the same Bench banking app for offline transactions as you do for your daily purchases.

Exceptionally Simple and Effective

Peace of mind is only an extra 50 cents per week on your $7.96 Standard Bench monthly membership fee, billed conveniently at $9.96 each month.

Select the Bench Essential option when you sign up for your Bench membership, and you’re ready to go.

How it works…

Bench Essential enables person-to-person payments between members during total grid and internet outages.

During normal operation, your Bench Essential VISA card works like any other.

In the event of a grid or internet failure, Bench Essential SWITCHES SEAMLESSLY to encrypted near-field peer-to-peer (P2P) transaction capability between Bench phone apps. So, you can continue buying your essentials from other Bench members in your community.

Recovery Mode

Transaction sync and reconcile automatically when normal network connectivity is restored

Step 1:
Normal Operation

Functions like any standard EMV-compliant debit card for tapping, paying, and transacting on existing bank networks.

Step 2:
Grid/Internet Failure

The Bench app automatically and seamlessly switches to offline mode when it detects a network failure.

Step 3: Offline
P2P Transactions

Enables secure, person-to-person transactions indefinitely without internet or grid power using encrypted communication between unmodified cell phones.

Step 4:
Auto-Sync

Balances and transactions are maintained locally in the app and automatically sync with your account once a network connection is reestablished.

How to get Bench Essential

1. Sign up for a bench account.

2. Select the Bench Essential option.

3. Receive your bench card.

(You will receive your virtual card in less than 5 minutes).

4. Load funds and start spending.

5. Bench Essential will automatically switch to offline mode when the grid or internet fails.