A scheme designed to help residents deal with family affairs in a more efficient way will be introduced by Cardiff Council on 3 November. Everyone living in the city will be able to take advantage of the national Tell Us Once service, which allows people to inform central and local government of either a birth or death just once and reduces the amount of time people need to spend contacting government departments and organisations.
If you’ve suffered bereavement or had a new baby, Cardiff Council will be able to tell the people that need to know on your behalf. This can include contacting the government departments and local council services that need to be told. Until now people had to contact all of them individually. The Tell Us Once service will help residents give the correct information to the Department for Work and Pensions and the Council who can then pass this information on to a number of other organisations.
Currently, if residents lose someone close to them, they have to register the death with the Registrar, then several other separate council departments – such as council tax, housing benefits and the electoral roll.
Similarly, several government departments and parts of the council have to be given the same information about a birth, as it may affect entitlements to Child Benefit, Working Tax Credits or Child Tax Credits.
Under the new Tell Us Once service when registering a birth or a death residents will only have to inform the Registrar, who, with permission, will then pass the right information to the relevant council departments and other public sector service providers, such as the Department for Work and Pensions, the Identity and Passport Service and the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency.
Cllr Judith Woodman, Executive Member for Communities, Housing and Social Justice, said:
“When someone dies, it can be a stressful and upsetting time. As well as coping with the emotional distress that a death may bring, there are a number of different government departments and organisations who need to be notified.
“For those looking after a new baby, it can be a busy time, as there are lots of things which need to be done.
“Cardiff Council wants to make registering a birth or a death easier for residents, and I am confident that the Tell Us Once service will assist people at a time when they need it most.”
