Sailortobe

If you are in the process of applying for a State pension using form IPC BR1 GOV - the postal code on the form (WV98 1LW) is not recognized by FedEx, USPS or UPS. I found that out when I tried to send my application last week. The USPS were willing to send it without a postal code, which I declined, as the application contained original birth marriage and divorce papers. I called the # on the IPC BR1 GOV form - 44 191 218 7777, and was given an alternative WV1 1AA. This was recognized by FedEx. Using the tracking system I was happy to see it only took one day to arrive in the UK - only to be returned to the holding depot because the address was incorrect. I called the UK # to let them know what had happened, and how were they going to take care of it. The problem was handed to customer care on Friday 20 Feb. I checked again today and the package is now in Gateshead - I can only hope and assume that it has been redirected to the Newcastle office - but can't check on that until tomorrow, to see if has been delivered. I have received no call from the UK customer service.

I can't comment on how I feel as I might lose it completely.

BritInParis

WV98 1LW is a post box for the International Pension Centre, not a physical address, hence your difficulties trying to send something there by courier. WV1 1AA refers to the North West Midlands Mail Centre, presumably where the post box is, but not where the International Pension Centre is located, which is Tyneview Park in Newcastle. If your application is in Gateshead then hopefully it is on its way there.

Sailortobe

Ergo - my frustration that a government department does not have the foresight to see what complications that fact might create. They are, after all, requesting original documents - and I would never send such documents without a tracking number. Totally shortsighted and inept is my opinion.

lansbury

Do the SS offices in the US still handle UK pension claims. They did when I claimed mine.

Peter124

Presumably this post code would work if you were sending something by regular mail?

BritInParis

Exactly. Anything requiring a signature is unlikely to be accepted.

Sailortobe

I have only dealt with the UK and followed their instructions.

Sailortobe

I'm sure it would, and if you are a trusting soul and happy to send original documents via regular mail - not a problem. I'd rather pay the $65 and be able to track it and have proof of delivery. This is, after all, an international service for overseas claimants. Just putting this out there so others don't get sideswiped the way I've been.

MsElui

fedex here wont Accept post box addresses - so maybe thats the issue too

Pulaski

That is no longer true, so long as you put the "street address" of the USPS building where the PO Box is located. I believe that USPS realised that their business was slipping away to the UPS Store that does (has always) accepted courier deliveries to their "PO Box" addresses. So now, as a change in policy, USPS accepts courier deliveries to USPS PO Boxes.

Pulaski

If you send something by "regular mail" it will only be discovered to be "undeliverable" when it gets to the sorting office that sends it out for delivery. In other words the USPS would send it to the UK regardless of whether the postal code is accurate, or even if the letter/ parcel has a postal code on it. The sorting office in the UK that first receives it would send it to Wolverhampton, if that is the city on the address, again regardless of whether there is a post code on it. The sorting office in Wolverhampton makes the final determination on where to deliver the item, or to return it as undeliverable.

A courier on the other hand needs to know from the outset, accepting the letter/ parcel, that there is a physical address for their van to drive up to and that their employee can deliver the item to.

Sailortobe

I know they won't deliver to a PO Box - but WV98 1LW gives no indication that this is in fact a PO Box - so anyone sending to this address wouldn't know.

MsElui

yes but they wont be able to deliver it at the other end - which is what your experiencing isnt it?

Sailortobe

To address your last point - there is no indication in the address given by the Pensions and Works department that this is in fact a PO Box. Not good admin. When I spoke to a representative there, he was aware that there had been issues and thought it had been resolved. Apparently not. Thanks for the input though.

Sailortobe

Exactly my point. Why give the general public a PO Box address - but don't tell them it's a PO Box. WV98 1LW is not an indicator that this is a PO Box. However, it's all over - I just received a call from FedEx. My package was redirected to Newcastle and has been delivered. Now I have to find out if it's been delivered to Pensions and Works and not
Dunkin Donuts.