"Tell us once" registration service up and running
Press Release
5 December 2011
A new service that makes it easier to inform central
and local government about the death of a person has been launched
in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland.
“Tell us once” means residents will only have
to provide details about the person who has died once instead of
having to repeat the same information to a number of different
agencies.
Leicester City, Leicestershire and Rutland
County and Leicestershire’s district and borough councils have
teamed up with the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) to launch
the service, which will be extended to include births in the New
Year.
People who have to register a death also have
to inform a wide range of other government services. This can
sometimes be time consuming and difficult.
’Tell Us Once’ means people can choose,
without charge, to have the registrar pass information on to other
service providers such as the DWP, HM Revenue and Customs, the
Identity and Passport Office and Housing and Council Tax Benefit
Offices.
Byron Rhodes, Leicestershire County Council
Cabinet Member for Regulatory Services, said: “We are delighted to
be able to offer this service. In the past residents have had to
contact each agency individually following the death of a loved
one, which may have added additional stress to what was already a
difficult and sensitive time in their lives.
“’Tell us once’ means information does not
have to be repeated, making life easier and the process
simpler.”
Sir Peter Soulsby, the City Mayor of
Leicester, said: “I very much welcome the Tell Us Once initiative.
It will be of real help to those who have just lost someone. We all
know what a difficult time that can be, and anything that makes it
easier to bear has to be a positive step forward”.
Roger Begy, Leader of Rutland County Council,
said: “It is important to us to provide the best possible services
to our residents.
“The ‘Tell Us Once’ system will be really
beneficial to our community as they will only need to make one
visit to the registrar rather than having to contact a variety of
agencies. I am really pleased that we are able to offer this
service.”
When making an appointment to register a death
residents are now asked if they would like to use the ‘Tell us
once’ service.
The information given to the registrar will be
used mainly to update records, end services, benefits and credits
as appropriate and to resolve any outstanding issues.
Some personal information will be required
about the deceased and next of kin.
Central and local government are working
together to include additional services, however other service
providers who can be informed through ‘Tell Us Once’ are the Driver
and Vehicle Licensing Agency, the Library Service and Council
Housing Services.
For more information call 0116 305 6509 or
visit www.leics.gov.uk/tellusonce
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