How long to keep paperwork?

66Mustang
66Mustang Online Community Member Posts: 14,991 Championing
in Benefits and income
I have about 500 pages of benefits related paperwork dating back to when I turned 18 which is 11 years ago.

Includes things like decision letters, information letters, yearly updates, appeals and reconsiderations...

Does anyone know if I need to keep it or how long I should keep this stuff for, as it is taking up a lot of room and I am trying to de-clutter.

I was thinking of keeping everything from the last 3 years and destroying the rest.

Any advice?

Thanks.

Comments

  • 66Mustang
    66Mustang Online Community Member Posts: 14,991 Championing
    Thanks @Biblioklept

    Yeah was just wondering specifically about benefits/DWP stuff. I am keeping all medical documents/letters plus they are all scanned and on my PC in digital format just in case, lol!

    The pile to go is stuff like from 2014 "we have looked at your claim and awarded you x" which I don't think I need.
  • poppy123456
    poppy123456 Online Community Member Posts: 64,463 Championing
    I destroy benefit uprating letters from previous years when the new one comes out. I scan and keep assessment reports on my computer as this does save a lot of space.  I use a shredder when i destroy them for security reasons. 

    I keep the original PIP award letters until a new decision is made on any review.

    I've never destroyed any medical letters and have a separate file for myself and daughter.

  • 66Mustang
    66Mustang Online Community Member Posts: 14,991 Championing
    Thank you Poppy for the tips.
  • WhatThe
    WhatThe Online Community Member, Scope Member Posts: 3,861 Championing


    KEEP IT ALL!!! 

    Once you are on UC, those records seem to disappear from DWP's system.

    They have ways of altering those decisions and determinations to reduce your entitlement in the future!


  • 2oldcodgers
    2oldcodgers Posts: 739 Connected
    WhatThe said:


    KEEP IT ALL!!! 

    Once you are on UC, those records seem to disappear from DWP's system.

    They have ways of altering those decisions and determinations to reduce your entitlement in the future!


    Absolutely!!

    I can't remember the number of times that the DWP and HMRC decided to look back on our affairs. I started to claim various benefits in 1996. and from that date I have kept every letter/form/document. I also have all of my payslips going back to 1990 which were a godsend as I could prove the amount of NI paid from that date. I had a DWP inspector call at my home wanting to know how much I had paid in each year since 1990, what my income was etc etc. Seems that my employer didn't see the need to record very much and only paid over a small amount of NI that I had paid.
    Thankfully because I could prove everything my NI record was amended which meant that I now receive a substantial 'Second Pension' on top of my basic state pension. Without that evidence I would have been over £100 a week worse off.
  • WhatThe
    WhatThe Online Community Member, Scope Member Posts: 3,861 Championing
    edited August 2023

    Many people receive no NIC's under UC - stopped upon claiming and the plan is to move everyone over 

    Department for Work and Pensions directs HMRC
  • JessieJ
    JessieJ Online Community Member Posts: 925 Trailblazing
    I have 31yrs worth, so...er... I'd say keep it all! :D I have thought of shredding some, but I'd probably get RSI, so in the boxes they stay.
  • WhatThe
    WhatThe Online Community Member, Scope Member Posts: 3,861 Championing

    Sorry but DWP and HMRC are two separate depts of govt

    Sorry but I didn't say they were one (though they are soon to merge)


  • 2oldcodgers
    2oldcodgers Posts: 739 Connected
    woodbine said:
    Sorry but DWP and HMRC are two separate depts of govt.

    Back to the question I would keep everything for three years plus anything older than that, that might be relevant in the future.
    And how would you know what might be relevant in the future?

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