Tell Us Once service for bereaved helps cut red tape

Tuesday, 06 December 2011

When someone dies, the last thing the loved ones left behind want to be landed with is extra paperwork and red tape. But from now on, thanks to a new Tell Us Once service being rolled out across the country, it will be easier for families to notify government authorities about changes in their circumstances.

Tell Us Once is being launched by The Department for Work and Pensions in partnership with local authorities across England, Wales and Scotland. It enables key local and central government departments and services to be notified simply through one single appointment with the local registrar.

With 575,000 deaths and 770,000 births nationally, Tell Us Once saves time and hassle and is expected to save users £66m over the next ten years. 

Under the scheme, up to 28 different services can be notified on relatives’ behalf, making it a much easier way for them to report their bereavement to the relevant authorities. Overall, a person using Tell Us Once can expect to contact government seven fewer times when compared to previous arrangements.

Tell Us Once programme director Lyn McDonald says: “We’ve done away with the red tape that usually confronts a person wanting to report a change in their circumstances to government.

“In a single appointment at their local authority, a person can notify all the relevant government departments and service authorities of their circumstances.

“It’s a service that saves time and money. We’re providing a simple process that responds to the specific needs of people who need to be with their families and not on the phone to government authorities, at a time when they need it most.”

Those wishing to use the service will need to bring relevant documentation to their appointment, such as passport, driver’s licence, national insurance number and details of any benefits.

For those who may find a face-to-face interview too difficult, a phone service operated by the Department for Work and Pensions is also available. 

The benefits all round of Tell Us Once over 10 years are £260m, including a £192m saving to government.

Without Tell Us Once, it would cost UK citizens £50m over 10 years to notify government of their change in circumstances. Overall, if the current arrangements were continued, the cost to customers and government is estimated to be £1.1bn over 10 years.

Tell Us Once is already in place in many UK regions and should be rolled out to 96% of the country by March 2012.

Click here to go to the Tell Us Once website link