My renewal form will be late what do I do?

slug

My renewal form didn’t arrive until after the return date as our area has had Royal Mail problems. PIP were very understanding and gave me the maximum extension.

I struggle with time management and spent some time during these weeks in hospital and then trying to find support and now I’m close to the deadline. 

I thought it would be okay as I would post it 2 days before it is due but Poppy said they use the date they scan it onto the system which can take weeks so my form is going to be late. Is there anything I can do? 

poppy123456

Yes there are huge backlogs with Royal Mail sorting office and it can take a couple of weeks to be added to the computer. All you can as advised on your other thread is make sure you get proof of postage from your post office when you return the form, it’s free for this. 

slug

Oh I see I didn’t realise you meant that advice to help if it was late, sorry you had to repeat yourself.
So if it’s late I can use my proof of postage to show that I posted it before due date with time for it to get there so it won’t cause me any problems?

poppy123456

All you need is proof you posted it. How long it takes to get there isn’t your fault. Even without backlogs it’s very unlikely to arrive and be added to the computer within 2 days. 

slug

Thanks to you both

I’ve been reading some of the threads about postage and did have another question:

I know you say not to waste money sending it recorded or tracked but is there any harm in sending it that way? As in will it delay things or potentially make it more difficult to get delivered?

I get what’s said from an evidence point and how it makes no difference as the dwp don’t sign for it themselves, but from my own anxiety point of view it makes a big big BIG difference. I get quite obsessive over things and will be tracking it until it says delivered. I’ve never sent anything to -anywhere- without tracking it.

So I get the logic of what’s been said about not needing to waste money sending it tracked as it makes no difference and still doesn’t guarantee they receive it, but my anxiety isn’t logical.

So I want to check it doesn’t hurt anything or cause any problems - aside from to my pocket? 

poppy123456

As you will have seen there’s plenty of threads on here regarding this. It will not make it get there any quicker and I see no benefit at all in sending anything to DWP by recorded delivery.

slug

Sorry, I do know what you and other messages are saying; it won’t make it get there quicker, it isn’t better evidence, it doesn’t come with any guarantee and isn’t even signed by dwp. I know that and know logic says there is no reason to send it recorded delivery. But there is benefit to me because it helps my anxiety even if logically that makes no sense. My anxiety doesn’t listen to logic.  

I just wanted to know if there is a chance sending recorded could make it worse? I know it can’t and won’t make it better or safer but can it make it worse? 

calcotti

slug said:

I just wanted to know if there is a chance sending recorded could make it worse? 

I don’t think so.

slug

slug

My anxiety must be over different things then as being able to track it, even while knowing it is signed by someone other than dwp, still makes me feel less anxious. I suppose it gives me a sense of control over the situation because I can sit refreshing the tracking page (albeit a false sense of control as I understand it makes no difference) but it gives me something else to focus on. 

I think what I’m trying to explain is I 100% understand what you’re all saying and I know I am being illogical and unwise but it is still the only option I can bring myself to do. Thank you to @calcotti and @woodbine for answering my concern as to whether it could make things worse and everyone for your explanations. 

I completely understand it won’t make things better. I just am unable to do it any other way. It’s not that I’m not listening or don’t understand and I am super grateful for you all taking the time to help me. 

I mentioned in my other post my last claim they lost my pip2 form and only had my supporting evidence so I know things can go wrong even once stuff arrives there.

Username_removed said:

 When nothing is then heard instantly the anxious claimant decides to ring up. It spirals downhill from there. An outsourced call centre will tell you pretty much anything - that it’s been lost, not arrived, can’t see it on the system etc. - when all that’s really going on is that it’s awaiting scanning and then being matched to your NINO and DOB etc. They only have to say any one of the above three and your anxiety is through the roof. 

slug

Sorry quotes are not working properly for me today. What I wanted to say to the bit above was that from what you’ve described I’m lucky it won’t be the same for me as I can’t use the telephone to call them! 

Knowing the process and what you’ve said about matching to NINO and DoB and scanning it also helps me rationalise how long things will take so I can try and talk myself down from an anxious waiting spiral, so thank you very much 
You guys have all been so wonderful and helpful even though I’ve been a pain. Thank you all a thousand times over