Health In Pregnancy Grant !!!! up

Rox84

My sister in law is now 2 weeks overdue in her pregnancy. She has filed TWICE for the health in pregnancy grant, and twice they have "Mislaid" the paperwork. After having called them, the guy said he "Couldn't comment" on her case, but she needs to send in ANOTHER form before she gives birth in order to receive any money. As I said, she is 2 weeks overdue and is like a ticking time bomb. We believe that her paperwork may have been "lost" deliberately, in order to cut the amount paid out (as the grant was no longer given out after January 1st).

Does anybody have any advice on how to appeal and who to speak to on this matter?

Thank you in advance.

cpoir

Not a very helpful or friendly reply!!!

If she was eligible for it prior to the 1st January then why should she miss out?! It's not a case of being able to afford the baby with or without it - it's the principle and she was after some advice!

Fortunately - my experience with the HIP grant was very good! Paperwork was turned around in under 2 weeks. Same with my friend. I would just write a letter to your local office. They will reply and there's less chance of it getting lost now that the snow and christmas is over

dmg24

OP, you may want to edit your title - people tend to be unwilling to help when they see bad language. If you click on Edit and Advanced Edit you can change it.

zaksmum

dmg24 wrote: »

OP, you may want to edit your title - people tend to be unwilling to help when they see bad language. If you click on Edit and Advanced Edit you can change it.

All I'm seeing in the title is four exclamation marks...has it already been edited?

AsknAnswer2

The suggestion that the people who deal with processing claims is ridiculous; the decision to stop the grant is that of the government, not the people who work within it. They have absolutely nothing to gain from mislaying her paperwork, deliberately or otherwise. You can't appeal loss of paperwork is not a "decision" thus is not appealable. You can complain though and can do so by following the complaints process - which should involve a written complaint to them in the first instance. As they have admitted to mislaying it, they will have to treat the date they received the original paperwork as the date she made the claim - therefore the timing would be irrelevant as she claimed on time. It also strengthens the point that mislaying of paperwork is not of any gain to them. She needs to send in another form because they cannot process the claim without the paperwork which they have mislaid. I suggest she does as asked, but takes it into a local inland revenue office and asks them to forward it by courier. This method of delivery is quicker. She should also ask for a receipt so that she has evidence of handing it in.