Becka Posted January 19, 2009 Share Posted January 19, 2009 My third child is nearly two and I realised in November that she hadn't been included in the child benefit amount although I completed the form and sent her birth certificate - as you do! There was an annual increase which tied in with the form being 'processed' so I automatically assumed that his was the increase to include the third child. I assume wrong. Not only has the birth certificate been lost but the increase has not registered. I spoke to CB in November, download and completed another form and sent it with her abbreviated birth certificate. They are obviously overstretched at the moment as the form has not been dealt with in the stated amount of time but apparently I am not able to claim back more than three months or ask them to find my full birth certificate. I am not a very happy bunny I am amazed that in this day and age of advanced technology and knowledge of people's movements and circumstances that this process cannot be more efficiently dealt with. I can buy a tax disc on line because the government know that my car has an MOT certificate but I can't register my child although they definitely know she's been MOT'd! Is there any way that I can apply for the back dated amount and full birth certificate? Yes, I do realise that they will claim I didn't send the original form or that the Mail are to blame! Becka Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Looney Posted January 19, 2009 Share Posted January 19, 2009 OOh how frustrating for you Most government-type offices are required to keep a post register. Each item of mail received should be logged on the register......so if you can get them to check it (even though it was a couple of years ago), they might be forced to admit that they received the form and certificate and therefore it is their fault it was 'lost'. If they do admit they received something from you I would kick up a fuss if I were you. After all mislaying important documentation such as birth certificates is really bad... You should definitely complain about the fact they have not met their deadline for dealing with the last form you sent. Good luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Webmuppet Posted January 19, 2009 Share Posted January 19, 2009 I would complain in writing and make sure you keep a copy, also make it perfectly clear that it is a complaint ( in big red letters so it gets noticed)otherwise it will disapear into ordinary correspondence. They have to respond within a given time ( 10 days I think).Send the letter by recorded (or similar) so that you have proof of posting, if you don't hear within 3 weeks chase them up. Unless you make fuss they won't take too much notice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jackiepoppies Posted January 19, 2009 Share Posted January 19, 2009 How incredibly annoying. When you send your letter of complaint, write another letter to your MP and send him a copy. Make sure you note on your letter to CB that a Copy has been forwarded to your MP and demand the return of your original birth certificate. Good luck, let us know how you get on. Jackiex Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted January 19, 2009 Share Posted January 19, 2009 How infuriating . You don't want to lose a birth certificate . I would definitely chase them up. They're probably hoping you'll just go away . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluekarin Posted January 19, 2009 Share Posted January 19, 2009 That is shocking! And the government wonder why people don't want all their data stored on ID cards? Imagine if all that info was lost Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Berkochicks Posted January 19, 2009 Share Posted January 19, 2009 I think they can only backdate 3 months. Donna Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hen Watch Posted January 19, 2009 Share Posted January 19, 2009 How infuriating. Just thought you might like to know that if you need a new Birth Certificate you can order one online. I "lost" my daughter's birth certificate when I urgently needed it for her passport application. I ordered a "certified copy" online, paid £10 and it arrived in a week and it was enough proof for the Passport Office. I used this government website http://www.gro.gov.uk/gro/content/certificates/ or you can apply to the local registration office too I think http://www.gro.gov.uk/gro/content/certificates/faqs-birth-death-marr.asp I know it doesn't answer your benefit question but it may help get another certificate as there are lots of times you need one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackrocksrock Posted January 19, 2009 Share Posted January 19, 2009 Iwould complain and send a copy to your mp and tell them cc to so and so mp for your area. Many years ago when I had my second child I did not realise for ages that I could have claimed for maternity benefit as it goes back 2 years and I had been working then and kicked up such a fuss when they told me they could not backdate it that they sent it within 3 days so it is very well worth it. Good luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Becka Posted January 19, 2009 Author Share Posted January 19, 2009 Thank you very much for your very helpful replies. I think I'll be spending a bit of time writing a letter of complaint! What annoys me is that I sent my daughter's full birth certificate with the original form and this has clearly been lost somewhere in the process. The full birth certificate contain parent's information as well as the child's and I'm uncomfortable with it being missing. In this day and age you should be able to give the details on the application form as to the child's birth certificate and registration number which could be accessed online and would no require the actual certificate to leave your possession. It does appear that they can work this system to their favour if you're buying your tax disc but make you jump through hoops when they're making the payments! Apologies for the rant but birth certificates going missing seems to be this family's specialist subject! Becka Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BarbaraJ Posted January 19, 2009 Share Posted January 19, 2009 not the easiest of people to deal with. i claimed for my middle child whilst he was at 6th form, he left early and didnt work for a while so i presumed i could carry on claiming for the last 5months i think it was. i was wrong , no problem with that so they stopped my youngest daughters payments to cover the over payment. again no problem. the payments were supposed to start in sept just gone. november i realised they hadn't started paying me again so 'I' had to chase the payments up!!! eventually got them back but if i hadn't remembered they could have gone months without paying me!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
