Fit note posting question

I think maybe a sticky by the mods is required on this subject?

Posting using recorded/special/signed for is pointless.

It actually delays receipt and the DWP will not recognise that it has been received until it arrives at the department dealing with it.

There's lots n lots of issues here.

1, DWP use centralised mail processing depts then forward mail through its own internal mail system to specific dept... so even if signed for it still hasn't reached the dept so will not be recognised by the DWP as being received.

2, with bulk mail signing you can not be sure that your individual letter was in the pile delivered.

3, it can actually double the time from sending to receipt by the DWP. I send normally 7-10 days later I call and yes Sir it is being processed. Send recorded and 10 days + later it's still on the Royal Mail systems as being undelivered.

4. the DWP policy is illegal as proved by the SORN vs DVLA case www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=...battle%20over%20SORN

They can not impose on you rules above and beyond their own rules for sending and receipt of post.

Conclusion if you can, get a proof of posting certificate stamped by the post office which is free \o/ Other than that you're wasting money and actually delaying it by sending it recorded/signed for.

The best tip I've seen on forums was always include (staple a cover sheet) or write on it the name of which benefit its for whatever you send and then call & check receipt 7-10 days after posting.

All my sick notes have E.S.A. written on the top of them and anything else I send has clearly what benefit it's for on it in massive big letters.

Except for the 1st one I sent recorded (which took 14 days to arrive) all others I have sent have been received/processed in 7 days. We had a big discussion on another forum about this and the above was the conclusion.

Hi Speedy

Surely royal mail know this to be the situation with DWP signing for post in bulk, therefor they are fraudulently accepting the extra charge for recorded delivery knowing that each letter sent is not signed for individually. Until joining this site i have sent everything to DWP by recorded delivery as to be quite blunt "I DONT TRUST THEM" To people who dont have to count every penny, then paying £1.07 is not a lot, but to most of us its a loaf of bread and a few potatoes!!! It makes me so angry!!!!

Mm x

If the DWP have signed for a letter it doesn't matter whether or not the letter was included in the batch. You have proof of posting and they have accepted that they have received it, therefore the responsibility is with them.

I agree with Speedy that proof of posting is most important. In my opinion our Royal Mail provides a pathetic service and I have no confidence in a letter reaching it's destination in reasonable time however it is sent. When I received my 180 page appeal bundle from the Upper Tribunal, some complete idiot working for the PO forced the package through the letterbox, shredding the envelope and tearing some of the pages in the process.

milly/Derek even if it's signed for it still hasn't reached the DWP department it was intended for. (this is the argument for non receipt the DWP use)

You are paying to get a signature to say it has been received by the DWPs own mail system.

RM has done it's job getting it to the address you wanted nothing more nothing less. It's not their fault it then has to get re-posted through another mail system.

Which is why I say as it stands a free proof of postage certificate has the same weight as a recorded signed for one.

It has the address, is stamped by the post office and proves you sent it. It costs nothing and legally is correct. If the DWP loses it you'll still have to resend it so... free or £1 (plus the delay) the decision is yours really.

Hi DD

I disagree, i am sorry!!! I have sent sick notes in recorded delivery and although there has been a signature for receiving this the DWP still put the onus on me. My benefit was suspended until they received another fit note. I am fortunate that my GP is very helpful and immediately faxed a copy and sent the original in the post which believe it or not they acknowledged receipt of the following day. This happened so many times and to begin with i wasnt aware until my payment had stopped.

The top and bottom of it is they "DONT CARE" they always have the upper hand. They should have to treat recorded delivery mail like we do! Can you imagine what would happen if DWP sent us the customer something by recorded delivery and although they have a signature we say we havnt received it? We would be hit where it hurts the most, financially. It amazes me how all or most of the letters they send out normal post are recieved by us customers and yet when it comes down to them its a shambles. I dont rate the Royal Mail at a lot of things but they shouldnt get all the blame. Although they shouldnt allow DWP or anyone else sign for a bundle of important documents!

Rant over!!!
Mm

millymoo wrote:

Hi DD

I disagree, i am sorry!!! I have sent sick notes in recorded delivery and although there has been a signature for receiving this the DWP still put the onus on me. My benefit was suspended until they received another fit note.

You are actually agreeing with me

Think about it you are!

"I sent it recorded they didn't accept that"... so you've paid extra for something which means/does nothing.

All you have paid for now is the proof you have sent it. This can be gotten for free via a proof of postage cert. Whether it is signed for or whatever it doesn't matter as you will still have to resend the documents... so why pay extra for something which you can get for free?

Read the SORN DVLA judgement it explains the law and how postage works between parties. As long as you comply with their own policy for sending to you then you are covered. All the cert does is add weight to the fact you sent it that's all.