Post date after required date

MyHappy256
MyHappy256 Online Community Member Posts: 144 Empowering
in PIP, DLA, ADP and AA

I tried to order a post collection service from Royal mail, either for tracked 48 or for next day by 1pm, both of them say it will only be delivered by 29/12/25.

If the required delivery date is the 27/12/25, does posting it on the 22nd meet the deadline or does it have to arrive on the 27/12/25?

Thanks

Comments

  • MW123
    MW123 Scope Member Posts: 1,894 Championing

    @MyHappy256

    If you post it on the 22nd, it doesn’t automatically mean it will get there by the 27th. Over Christmas the 48‑hour service doesn’t run as normal because the processing centres and Post Offices close early on the 24th and are completely shut on the 25th and 26th, so nothing is processed or moved on those days. That’s why Royal Mail are showing 29 December as the earliest delivery date.

    There is a chance that if you post it today (22nd) it might arrive on the 27th, but Royal Mail won’t guarantee that. They’re giving the 29th as the delivery date because that’s the one they know they can meet once everything is running on normal hours again.

  • OverlyAnxious
    OverlyAnxious Online Community Member Posts: 5,598 Championing

    PIP aren't interested in the date you posted it. The deadline is for them to receive it. If they haven't received it and scanned it onto the computer by the deadline then your PIP can be automatically suspended. (This happened to me a couple of years ago).

  • MW123
    MW123 Scope Member Posts: 1,894 Championing

    @MyHappy256

    Make sure you keep safe your proof that you returned the PIP form on time. If you can show you posted it before the date they asked for, you have complied with what the DWP required.

    They are closed over the Christmas bank holidays anyway, so nobody will be scanning anything onto the system on those days. Claimants cannot be held responsible for Royal Mail Christmas closures, or the DWP’s own holiday working hours.

    Unless the form specifically said it had to arrive before their Christmas shutdown, I would be very surprised if they automatically suspended anyone, because they will have a backlog themselves due to the holiday closures.

  • OverlyAnxious
    OverlyAnxious Online Community Member Posts: 5,598 Championing

    I wouldn't be at all surprised. Mine was posted in plenty of time, just not scanned quickly enough due to backlogs at their end. The automated computer systems just have a date set for suspension, they don't take things like bank holidays into account.

  • MW123
    MW123 Scope Member Posts: 1,894 Championing

    @OverlyAnxious

    I am really sorry this happened to you, that must have been incredibly frustrating. No one should be put in that position because of delays or backlogs that are completely outside their control.

    But just to be clear about what the wording actually says, the DWP tells people to send the form back by the date on the letter. It does not say it has to be received or scanned by that date. That’s why Citizens Advice (see link below) include the instruction. “When you post the form, ask the Post Office for free proof of postage, you might need to show when you sent it.”

    The legal test is whether it was sent on time, not when the DWP eventually managed to process it. Any delays after the claimant has posted it are not their responsibility. Anyone caught in this scenario should challenge the DWP suspension with proof of posting.

    https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/sick-or-disabled-people-and-carers/pip/help-with-your-claim/send-in-form/

  • OverlyAnxious
    OverlyAnxious Online Community Member Posts: 5,598 Championing

    The problem with many laws is that they are reactive, not proactive. The computer systems can't know when a person has posted something, for example, so they can't work on the postal date.

    The law means that PIP does get reinstated if the claimant is able to challenge the suspension. In my case I didn't even need proof of posting (I physically can't get to a PO so never have it) but I did need a relative to phone PIP on my behalf.

    Regardless of what the law says, I find it is always less hassle to cover myself proactively rather than relying on the reactive nature of legislation.

  • MW123
    MW123 Scope Member Posts: 1,894 Championing

    Hi @OverlyAnxious

    Thank you for explaining that. I see what you mean now. I hadn’t taken into account that their system has an automatic cut off date built in, and of course the computer can only act on what has been scanned, not when something was actually posted.

    I can completely understand how that would have caused you so much hassle, especially without proof of posting. It is awful that you were put through that when none of it was your fault.

    I have added this to my list of points to raise after Christmas. With my MP running Timms PIP review workshops in January, this is exactly the kind of problem I want to highlight.

    There really should be a better way of flagging when forms are received, not just when they are processed on the system. Claimants should not be penalised because of backlogs or delays at the DWP’s end.

    Sending you the compliments of the season. I hope you have a pleasant Christmas day. xx

  • MyHappy256
    MyHappy256 Online Community Member Posts: 144 Empowering

    Scary, thank you for answering all, just have to accept the risk, I guess if they review it without all the information I sent I can still then raise it at tribunal that I responded?

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