DWP Immigration Status Validation?

This post is long because I need to quote the letter that has brought me here.I have tried to break it down into readable sections,please,please read to the end-I really need to know if this is genuine or dud.

I claim DLA because I have cerebral palsy.I get lower rate care and I use my higher rate mobility component to pay for a motability car,my award was indefinate.I am a British citizen and have been since 1982.
I moved to the UK in 2007 from South Africa with my British passport in hand.I did not make my claim until 2009,when my condition started to deteriorate and I became more immobile.

I received a letter this morning claiming to be from the DWP asking me to validate my immigration status.It does not look like any of the DWP letters Ive had in the past (one as recent as June this year when I moved house and informed them of the change)
There is no address block to the right of the page,where all the telephone numbers are usually listed.

The reference number is my NI number,minus the last character.The letter states "We are reviewing your entitlement to benefit and need to see evidence of your existing immigration status. You must ensure we receive your response within 28 days from the date of this letter or your payments will be suspended"

It goes on to ask me to send photocopies (in bold) of my biometric residence permit,or all my current passports including personal details and visa stamp/vignette;or national identity card.It reiterates that I should not send the original documents.

It came with a pre paid envelope addressed to DWP,Perry Barr BDC St Stephens street Birmingham B99 1AG.

It goes on to say if I cannot provide these documents I must immediately email UK Border Agency (UKBA) at ukba.dwpstatusvalidation@homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk -This section is also bolded,at it asks that I include the following in my email:

• Your home office reference number
• Your full name (including any other names which UKBA may know you by)
• Your date of birth
• Your nationality (including where your passport was issued)
• Your National Insurance number
• Your contact details

It repeats the fact that once they are satisfied I am entitled,my payments will change but if they do not get these documents within 28 days, my payments will be suspended.


The last paragraph paraphrases the above 3 times,and then states that "Under social security law you must make sure we receive the photocopies requested within the time specified (28 days from the date of this letter).There is an exception if (within the 28 day period) you can satisfy us that you need longer to comply,or that the documents do not exist or that you cannot obtain them."


The last line states "if you need to contact us about this letter,please phone 0845 600 3080...that is the only place on the whole letter that gives a phone number.



I looked up the number I usually call to deal with DLA and called to ask about it.The person i spoke to was clear that there was nothing on my claim to indicate a "review" of this nature,and gave me the number for Job Centre Plus.The person I spoke to there,was also not clear-although he did say he would have someone look into it more and would call me by tomorrow morning at the latest.Ive not heard back so I'll give it till lunchtime tomorrow and call again.


Has anyone else seen something like this?Do I need to worry,or have I been targeted by some new phishing scam?