Tell us once

When someone has died, there are lots of things that need to be done, at a time when you probably least feel like doing them. One of these things is contacting the government departments and local council services that need to be told. The tell us once service means that you can just tell us, and we will let other organisations know for you.

How the tell us once service works

Before you can use the tell us once service you must first register the death on the Lancashire County Council website.  Once that is done the registrar will give you a tell us once reference number. You will need this to sign in to tell us once.

After you register the death, you must use the tell us once service on the GOV.UK within 28 days. 

Tell us once

Before you use tell us once

Before using tell us once, you will need the following details of the person who has died:

• death certificate details
• national insurance number
• date of birth
• driving licence number (if applicable)
• vehicle registration number (if applicable)
• passport number (if applicable)
• details of any benefits and services they were getting, for example state pension
• details of any local council services they were getting, for example blue badge

You will also need:

• the name and address of their next of kin
• the name and address of any surviving spouse or civil partner
• the name, address and contact details of the person dealing with their estate (property, belongings and money)
• details of any public sector or armed forces pension schemed they were getting or paying into

You need permission from the next of kin, the executor, the administrator or anyone who was claiming joint benefits or entitlements with the person who died, before you give their details.

Tell us once

You can also use the tell us once service by telephone with the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) on 0800 085 7308. The lines are open Monday to Friday 8am to 8pm.