How long to keep paperwork?

LocoLoco

Morning, everyone.


I'm having a bit of a clear out and have two very large files relating to benefit appeals and tribunals. There was a pretty lengthy housing benefit one that was resolved about six years ago and an equally lengthy DLA one that was resolved about four years ago. Do I need to hang on to these any longer, do you think, or can I safely shred them and clear the space?

Am always slightly anxious that some sort of anomaly will come to light after I've got rid of something.


Many thanks.

bloolagoon

Do you have access to a scanner?


I always scan documents and store them electronically just in case I need them. Just worth considering if you need physical space.

PlutoinCapricorn

Scanning before shredding is a very good idea: I always do this.

You could also consider just keeping the key letters : for example, if you have letters that just say we have received your evidence and will consider it, they are not very important.

LocoLoco

Excellent idea, will get on with it! Many thanks to you both

pmlindyloo

PlutoinCapricorn wrote: »

Scanning before shredding is a very good idea: I always do this.

You could also consider just keeping the key letters : for example, if you have letters that just say we have received your evidence and will consider it, they are not very important.

Sorry, but I beg to differ.

If 6 years later you are told you have an overpayment, letters saying that they have received your evidence are extremely important.

I have seen clients who are being chased for an overpayment from 5/6 years ago who have shredded letters and have no proof of anything and subsequently lose at a tribunal.

If you cannot scan them then I would suggest that you keep them for a minimum of 6 years.

PlutoinCapricorn

This was just an example: many organisations send a postcard as a quick acknowledgement, followed by a proper letter.

I meant that unimportant correspondence need not be retained.

confuseddaughter_2

I thought that it was as long as it may be needed. As above, you never know when the DWP or HMRC might come looking for some money relevant to a possible debt that may well go back 20/30 years.
You can't rely on any government department being able to provide you with the evidence to disprove it - they destroy documents after 12 months!

MissMoneypenny

You should back-up that file as a safeguard, in case your hard drive gets corrupted.
I use an external hard drive, but don't forget to run your security checks before you add anything to the external hard drive.

rogerblack

Backing up files is all very well to say.
How many of us do it reliably enough that it'll certainly be around in 5 years?

If the DLA claim is still live, or the health condition is ongoing, then the last appeal/... is _very_ relevant - it may contain information that is important to submit when migrated over to PIP.

bloolagoon

rogerblack wrote: »

Backing up files is all very well to say.
How many of us do it reliably enough that it'll certainly be around in 5 years?

If the DLA claim is still live, or the health condition is ongoing, then the last appeal/... is _very_ relevant - it may contain information that is important to submit when migrated over to PIP.

Mine backs up automatically to my EHD and to my cloud storage daily (auto overnight).

I also email myself important documents and can retain them via email, however, I know someone who is up on security and firewalls. I'd be unlikely to trust myself.

PlutoinCapricorn

Yes, I have certainly got rid of huge amounts of paperwork, photos etc. after scanning, transferring the details to spreadsheets or documents as appropriate, and I do back up my files.

I did retain the best photos and very important documents.

However, how can we be sure that there will always be software to read them?