Signed For Delivery

I'm still waiting to be assessed for ESA. I sent a sick to the DWP last Wednesday by first class signed for delivery. When I checked online today (Monday) the delivery was still in transit according to the Post Office online tracking service.

I phoned Royal Mail and was told that first class signed for letters are delivered by huge lorries and are signed for in bulk by someone at the DWP. I was told to either wait for the confirmation to appear in the online tracking service or phone the DWP to confirm delivery. I questioned how the DWP would know if the letter had been delivered if Royal Mail hadn't collected a signature yet? Who is responsible for confirming delivery? I paid for a signed for service so I think Royal Mail is passing the buck by expecting me to chase up the DWP.

I really want to warn everyone who uses a signed for service for the documents they send to the DWP to pay for the Royal Mail Special Delivery Guaranteed service. It costs a lot more but when I've used it, the letters arrive reliably.

I checked this evening and the online tracking system says the letter has been delivered but proof of delivery has not come through yet. So that's a relief.

I think it's important to know how long it takes for 1st class signed for delivery. In my case it took two working days. I posted it Wednesday last week and it arrived today, Monday. In future I'll always use the more expensive guaranteed delivery because proof of delivery comes through by the afternoon of the next day. If, like me, you're prone to anxiety and panic the long wait over the weekend was dreadful.