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Reporting a Death Using the Tell Us Once Service
The Tell Us Once service is a government initiative designed to help streamline the process of reporting a death to various government departments. This service is available to residents of the United Kingdom and aims to reduce the burden on grieving families by ensuring that multiple government agencies are informed of the deceased's passing with a single notification.
How to Use the Tell Us Once Service
Once a death has been registered, you will be given a unique reference number that allows you access to the Tell Us Once service. You can use this service either online or by telephone. When using the service, you will need to provide various pieces of information, including the deceased’s personal details, next of kin, and any surviving spouse or civil partner's details.
Information to Provide
To successfully report a death using the Tell Us Once service, you will need to gather and provide the following information:
- The deceased's National Insurance number.
- Details of any benefits or entitlements they were receiving, such as pensions or disability allowances.
- Driver’s licence if they had one.
- Passport details if applicable.
- Information about any local council services they were receiving, such as housing benefits or council tax reductions.
- Their Blue Badge if they held one.
- Details of any current driving vehicle tax payments.
Departments Informed Through Tell Us Once
The Tell Us Once service will notify the following departments and organizations on your behalf:
- HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) to deal with tax and benefits.
- Passport Office to cancel their passport.
- Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) to cancel their driving licence.
- The local council to update services such as council tax or benefits.
- Public sector or armed forces pension schemes.
Assistance and Support
Using the Tell Us Once service helps ensure that all relevant parties are notified of the death without requiring multiple calls or appointments, which can be particularly helpful during a difficult time. If you need any assistance or support while using the service, the local registrars can provide guidance. Additionally, further information can be found on the UK government’s official website.
By making use of the Tell Us Once service, you can simplify the administrative process of reporting a death, allowing you to focus on supporting your family and dealing with personal matters.
Reporting a Death Using the Tell Us Once Service
The Tell Us Once service is a way to make telling the government about a death easier. It is for people in the United Kingdom. This service helps families so they don’t have to tell lots of government offices about the death separately. You can tell everyone at once.
How to Use the Tell Us Once Service
After you register a death, you will get a special number. This number lets you use the Tell Us Once service. You can use the service online or by phone. You need to give some information like the person who died's details, their family's details, and their spouse or partner's details.
Information to Provide
To use the Tell Us Once service, you need to collect this information:
- The person's National Insurance number.
- Any benefits or allowances they got, like pensions.
- Their driver's licence if they had one.
- Their passport details if they had a passport.
- Any local council services they used, like housing benefits or council tax help.
- Their Blue Badge if they had one.
- Details of any vehicle tax payments.
Departments Informed Through Tell Us Once
The Tell Us Once service will tell these departments for you:
- HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) for tax and benefits.
- The Passport Office to cancel their passport.
- The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) to cancel their driving licence.
- The local council for things like council tax or benefits.
- Pension schemes for public sector or armed forces.
Assistance and Support
The Tell Us Once service is helpful because it means you only have to notify the government once. This can be a big help at a hard time. If you need help, ask the local registrar. More information is on the UK government’s website.
When you use the Tell Us Once service, you make reporting a death easier. This lets you focus on helping your family and taking care of personal matters.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Tell Us Once service?
The Tell Us Once service is a program in the United Kingdom that allows you to report a death to most government organizations in a single step.
Who can use the Tell Us Once service?
The service can be used by immediate family members or anyone who is dealing with the deceased person's affairs.
How do I access the Tell Us Once service?
You can access the Tell Us Once service online, by phone, or in person at a registry office.
What information will I need to provide to use the Tell Us Once service?
You will need to provide information including the deceased person's date of birth, National Insurance number, driving licence number, passport number, details of any benefits or social services they were receiving, and the name and address of their next of kin.
Do I need to provide the death certificate?
Yes, you will need to provide the death certificate when you use the Tell Us Once service.
Can Tell Us Once notify financial institutions and companies?
No, the Tell Us Once service only notifies government organizations. You will need to contact financial institutions and companies separately.
Is there a fee for using the Tell Us Once service?
The Tell Us Once service is free of charge.
How soon should I use the Tell Us Once service after a death?
You should use the Tell Us Once service as soon as possible after the death has been registered.
Can I use the Tell Us Once service if the death was registered outside the UK?
No, the Tell Us Once service can only be used for deaths registered in the United Kingdom.
What government organizations are notified using Tell Us Once?
Tell Us Once notifies various government organizations including HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC), the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), the Passport Office, the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA), and local councils.
How long does it take to complete the Tell Us Once process?
The process typically takes about 30 minutes to complete.
Can someone else complete the Tell Us Once service on my behalf?
Yes, someone else can complete the Tell Us Once service on your behalf if they have your permission and the necessary information.
What should I do if I have technical issues accessing the Tell Us Once service online?
If you encounter technical issues, you can use the telephone service or visit a local registry office for assistance.
Can I amend the information provided to Tell Us Once at a later date?
If you need to amend the information provided, you should contact the specific government organizations directly.
What happens after I complete the Tell Us Once service?
After completing the Tell Us Once service, the relevant government organizations will update their records accordingly and may contact you if they need additional information.
What is the Tell Us Once service?
The Tell Us Once service helps you tell the government about a person who has died. You only have to tell them one time. Then, they will tell other government services for you.
This can make things easier when someone has died.
Here are some ways to get help:
- Ask a friend or family member to help you understand.
- Use a computer reader to read the text out loud.
- Break the task into small steps so it is less confusing.
The Tell Us Once service is a program in the United Kingdom. It helps you let most government places know when someone has died, all at once.
Who can use the Tell Us Once service?
If someone you know has died, you can use the Tell Us Once service. This service helps you tell the government important things about that person. It makes things easier for you. You can ask a friend or family member to help you use this service.
This help is for close family and people who are taking care of things after someone has died.
How can I use the Tell Us Once service?
You can use the Tell Us Once service in three ways: online, by phone, or by visiting a registry office.
What do I need to use the Tell Us Once service?
You will need to give some details to use Tell Us Once. Here is what you might need:
- The person's name and date of birth.
- Their National Insurance number.
- Details about their benefits or pensions.
- Their passport and driving licence numbers.
If you need help, ask a friend or family member. You can also use a computer or tablet to help you fill in the information.
You need to give some important information about the person who has died. You will need:
- Their date of birth (when they were born)
- Their National Insurance number
- Their driving licence number
- Their passport number
- Information about any benefits or social services they got
- The name and address of their closest family member
You can use a checklist to help you remember everything. You can also ask someone you trust to help you collect this information.
Do I need to show the death certificate?
A death certificate is a paper that says someone has died. You might need to show it for important things. If you are not sure if you need to show it, ask someone for help.
If you have trouble reading, you can use tools like a screen reader to listen to the text. You can also ask a friend, family member, or a helper to explain it to you.
Yes, you need to show the death certificate when you use the Tell Us Once service.
Can Tell Us Once inform banks and companies for me?
No, the Tell Us Once service only tells government offices. You will have to tell banks and companies yourself.
Do you have to pay to use the Tell Us Once service?
The Tell Us Once service costs nothing. You do not have to pay.
When should I use the Tell Us Once service after someone dies?
Use the Tell Us Once service soon after a person has died.
This helps tell government offices about the death.
If you get stuck, ask someone for help.
Using a calendar might help you keep track of the days.
You should use the Tell Us Once service soon after the death is registered.
Can I use the Tell Us Once service if the death happened outside the UK?
Tell Us Once is a service that helps after someone dies. You only tell the government once.
If someone dies outside the UK, you might not be able to use Tell Us Once.
You can ask someone in the government for help. They can tell you what to do next.
You can only use the Tell Us Once service if someone has died in the United Kingdom.
Who does the government tell with Tell Us Once?
When someone dies, you can use a service called Tell Us Once. This helps you tell government offices about it.
Helpful tips:
- Use a computer or ask someone to help you.
- You might want to write down important information first.
- You can ask a friend, family member, or support worker to help.
Tell Us Once is a service that helps you tell different government offices about a change. It lets places like HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC), the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), the Passport Office, the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA), and your local council know at the same time.
How long does it take to finish the Tell Us Once process?
The Tell Us Once process is something you do to share important information after someone passes away. This helps tell the government so you don't have to do it many times.
It usually takes about 10 to 15 minutes to do the Tell Us Once process. This time can be different for each person. You might need more time if you have a lot of information to share.
Here are some helpful tips:
- Have all the papers you might need ready before you start.
- Ask a friend or family member to help you if it feels too hard.
- You can take breaks if you need to rest.
The process usually takes about 30 minutes to finish.
Can someone help me with the Tell Us Once service?
Yes, someone else can do the Tell Us Once service for you. They need your okay and your information.
What can I do if I have trouble using the Tell Us Once service on the computer?
If you can't use the Tell Us Once service online, here are some tips to help:
- Try refreshing the page or restarting your computer.
- Check your internet connection to make sure it's working.
- Ask someone you trust for help, like a family member or friend.
- Use a different computer or device if you can.
- Call the Tell Us Once helpline for more help.
If you have problems with technology, you can call for help or go to a nearby office for support.
Can I change the information I gave to Tell Us Once later?
Yes, you can change the information later if you need to. Here’s how you do it:
- You might need to call or write to Tell Us Once.
- Have your reference number ready. This number is on the letter or email you got from Tell Us Once.
- If you need help, you can ask someone you trust to help you call or write.
Remember, it is okay to ask for help!
If you need to change the information, you should talk to the right government groups.
What happens after I finish the Tell Us Once service?
When you finish using the Tell Us Once service, it helps to tell the government about a death. This means you don’t have to tell each part of the government on your own. It can help make things a bit easier for you.
Here is what usually happens next:
- The government will share your information with other parts of the government that need to know.
- You might get letters from different government offices. These letters will tell you what they will do next.
If you have any questions, you can ask for help. You can call a friend or family member for support. You can also speak to someone who helps people with these tasks.
When you finish using the Tell Us Once service, the right government offices will change their records. They might get in touch with you if they need more information.
Useful Links
Useful links from: The new death certification process in the UK
- NHS - Death Notification and Certification This NHS page provides guidance on death certification, including any changes made during the COVID-19 pandemic, with information on new processes for healthcare professionals.
- Gov.uk - Guidance for Local Registrars This official government page offers guidance for completing a Medical Certificate of Cause of Death in England and Wales, aimed at medical practitioners.
- Cruse Bereavement Support - What to Do When Someone Dies Cruse Bereavement Support provides relevant information for individuals going through the death certification process after losing a loved one, including practical steps and emotional support.
- Marie Curie - Dealing with Bereavement Marie Curie's website offers guidance on dealing with bereavement, practical information on steps after someone dies, and support through the new death certification process.
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- Ergsy carfully checks the information in the videos we provide here.
- Videos shown by Youtube after a video has completed, have NOT been reviewed by ERGSY.
- To view, click the arrow in centre of video.
- Most of the videos you find here will have subtitles and/or closed captions available.
- You may need to turn these on, and choose your preferred language.
- Go to the video you'd like to watch.
- If closed captions (CC) are available, settings will be visible on the bottom right of the video player.
- To turn on Captions, click settings .
- To turn off Captions, click settings again.