Cold Weather Payment Giro - cheque out of date

Hamilton_Man

I got 2 Cold Weather payment giro through the post. The first one on 14th February and the second one on 21st February. I have been housebound for the past 6 weeks and haven't been able to cash them.

The giro says I have 1 month to cash it. I have missed the date.

My fault I know but what should I do? I haven't been able to get out the door without help since the beginning of the year.

Will the post office cash it on Tuesday do you think and if not what should I do?

Can I cash the giro in at my bank account. They might accept it as banks allow 6 months to cash cheques. The guy on the phone didn't have a clue.

I'm on my own and don't know who else to ask. I thought I had 3 months to cash the giro which is why I wasn't panicing.

Please help. Surely a lot of people must miss the deadline due to being stuck indoors due to poor health.

stazi

Return both giros to your DWP/JCP Benefit Centre that pays your normal benefit with a letter explaining why you couldn't cash them, and asking for replacements.

Hamilton_Man

Thanks mate. I will get them a phone on Tuesday.

Do you think they will be sympathetic? I mean the DHSS are not usually the most sympathetic of people to deal with.

Surely thousands of people must miss giro deadlines all the time.

zappster1966

For future reference you can sign a giro over to someone else to cash on your behalf, there's a box on the back for you to sign for that. That person needs only to present the giro along with identification for both themselves & you. Sorted.

Can't you get a basic bank account or post office card account to pay your benefit into ? It'd make things a bit easier for you.

Mr_Falling_Star

Yeah Staz'is right, there should be no problems. However ring the number on the letter that came with it and they should put you right. It may take some time though (few weeks?)