OJ, I'm appalled, but not surprised
I hope you don't mind - I bashed out a letter to your MP incase you want to complain to them. I hope I haven't trodden on your toes, so to speak.
Take care x
To Mr * Rt Hon MP,
I would like to bring to your attention a severe flaw in the Tax Credit system that I was unfortunate enough to witness first hand on the 18th June 2008.
My beloved husband died on X, so according to the rules of claiming Tax Credits, I telephoned them on the 18th June 2008 and spoke to Sandra in the call centre to change our claim. It was at this point that the unmitigated disasters began.
I took my time giving Sandra specific details of payments made to me, monies coming in and monies going out and of course, asked to change the claim to just my name. Sandra asked, after hearing that my husband, Mr OJ, needed to be taken off the claim, if she could speak to him to confirm this step. I was shocked at her utter incompetence. She was beyond rude and insensitive by asking this. However, I calmly informed her again that Mr OJ had recently passed away and she filed all the information on my account.
Before ending the telephone call, Sandra assured me that there was no other information needed and the claim would be adjusted. I specifically asked her to confirm this was the case. She did and I ended the telephone call in the belief that I needed to do nothing else and that the monies I am due would still be paid on time.
On the 27th June 2008 I received a letter. It stated that I had telephoned them on the 18th June and that my Tax Credit claim has now ended. It also stated that I may need to make a new claim and the forms were enclosed on which to do so.
At a time of extreme sadness and stress, I am utterly appalled at this situation. Sandra confirmed to me that the claim was still active; it had merely changed, not that I needed to end the claim completely and re-apply for a new one.
As you can understand, I am furious with this. At a time when people need the utmost consideration and understanding, I am appalled that a Government office demands they be put severely out of pocket and placed under unnecessary stress to re-apply for something that is easy to sort out with a few checks in place.
I ask you to raise this issue in your next Commons meeting and that it is looked at closely. I would like to think a new system could be set up whereby bereaved people are able to telephone a seperate number to deal with people who are calm, considerate and do not ask to speak to the person who has just died. I also suggest that this system changes the claims made by the families and simply asks for a death certificate to be shown within 30 or 60 days after the change of details is made. This will give bereaved families the space and time to deal with issues like this without losing vital income at an unbelievably stressful time.
Thank you in advance for raising this issue on behalf of your constituents.
Yours sincerely, (faithfully?)
Mrs OJ.