Tell Us Once

We are providing a service called 'Tell Us Once', which we hope will make things easier for you when someone has died.  There are lots of things that need to be done when someone has died and often at a time when you probably least feel like doing them. You may need to contact several other organisations and given them the same information.

What is it?

'Tell Us Once' is a service where we help you give the information to the Department of Work and Pensions, they then pass it on to a number of other government departments and local authority services, saving you the time.

Registering a Death

When someone has died, their death needs to be registered with the Registrar where the death occurred. To register a death with Neath Port Talbot Register Office you will need to make an appointment by telephoning:

• 01639 760021

Once that’s done, several other organisations may have to be contacted and given the same information.

How the service can help you?

We’re providing a service where we can help you give the information to the Department for Work and Pensions. They then pass it on to the Government and Council departments that need to be told, saving you the time and expense of contacting them.

How to use the service

There are different ways you can use the service:

• Following the Registration of the death 

You will be contacted by the Registrar to register the death and will be provided with information for the Tell us Once Service.

Who can we give information to?

If you decide to use this service you will be able to tell the following organisations: 

The Department for Work and Pensions

• Pension, Disability and Carers Service
• Jobcentre Plus
• Overseas Health Team

Ministry of Defence, Service Personnel and Veterans Agency

• War Pensions Scheme

HM Revenue and Customs:

• Child Benefit Office
• Child Tax Credits and Working Tax Credit
• Personal Taxation

Identity and Passport Service:

• UK Passport

Local Councils

• Housing Benefit Office
• Council Tax Benefit Office

These organisations can also be told if you ask us to do so:

Local Councils

• Libraries
• Adult Services
• Collection of payment for council services
• Electoral Services
• Council Tax
• Blue Badges
• Children's Services
• Bus Pass
• Local Authority Pension scheme

Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency:

• Driving Licence 

How will the information be used?

The information you give will be treated securely and confidentially. The organisations who are contacted will use the information to update records; to end services, benefits and credits as appropriate; and to resolve any outstanding issues. They may use this information in other ways, but only as the law allows.

Information you will need to use the service

To make sure the right information is given to any organisations we contact for you and so that you get the most out of the service it will help if you can bring along with you the following information about the person who has died:

• Their National Insurance Number and date of birth
• Details of any benefits or services they were receiving
• Their death certificate
• Their Driver’s Licence or Driving License Number 

We may also ask you for the contact details for:

• Their next of kin
• A surviving husband, wife or civil partner
• The person dealing with their estate

You must obtain the agreement of the persons listed above if you are going to provide us with information about them.

Next of Kin

If you are the next of kin (closest relative by blood or marriage to the deceased), your entitlement to benefits may change, so please have your own National Insurance number and/or date of birth with you when you contact us.

If you are not the next of kin, or the person who is dealing with the deceased’s estate (the person sorting out their property, belongings and money), you can still use the service if you have their permission to provide their details and act on their behalf.

Privacy

This service is committed to ensuring your information is protected. Our privacy statement tells you how we will use and protect the information you provide when you use this service. Ask the Adviser if you wish to see the full privacy statement.

Please remember that it is your responsibility to ensure that all organisations, that pay you a benefit/credit or provide a service to you, have correct and up-to-date information about you.