Are all Government Departments "Freepost"?

vicwatson · 15-05-2013 11:42am #1

Seem to think they are/were.

Say if I want to send a letter to Dept of Social Protection for example, do I need to put a stamp on it?

Something tells me that I don't need to (I think one should put a stamp on it but nearly sure they used to all be freepost?)

Not sure it's a consumer issue but didn't know where to start such a thread.

TIA

Del2005 · 15-05-2013 8:39pm

On the Contact Us of the Welfare.ie site there are no free post addresses listed, if it's not listed as free post then you need to put a stamp on it.

Skid X · 15-05-2013 8:45pm

No, they aren't all Freepost. Unless you have seen the word 'Freepost' somewhere on their address (on a form or a website) you would need a stamp to ensure your letter arrives.

If all Government Departments were Freepost, it would leave them open to abuse of the system, (thousands of people writing Freepost letters of complaint in a co-ordinated campaign just to run up a huge postage bill, for example)

vicwatson · 15-05-2013 10:20pm

Aw baldy blobs anyway.

Went to Post Office today to buy a book of 55c stamps and was told they went up to 60c in April (I sent a damn letter to a gov dept yesterday with a 55c stamp on it) Wonder will they deliver it for me or.....?

I thought that if it was a freepost then the 55c would cover me, now.............

Skid X · 15-05-2013 11:09pm

vicwatson wrote: »

Aw baldy blobs anyway.

Went to Post Office today to buy a book of 55c stamps and was told they went up to 60c in April (I sent a damn letter to a gov dept yesterday with a 55c stamp on it) Wonder will they deliver it for me or.....?

I thought that if it was a freepost then the 55c would cover me, now.............

Hopefully it will get through. For what it's worth, I haven't heard of any letters with 55c stamps being returned to sender yet.

There was very little information on the price increase. An Post should have given it more publicity.

MagicMarker · 15-05-2013 11:14pm

I don't know if it is the case, but An Post should honour all post using out of date stamps (by out of date, I mean on the old pricing). If someone has 55c stamps lying around then that person bought them in good faith, and they shouldn't have to use 2 and effectively pay almost double to have a single letter posted.

Soundman · 15-05-2013 11:24pm

MagicMarker wrote: »

I don't know if it is the case, but An Post should honour all post using out of date stamps (by out of date, I mean on the old pricing). If someone has 55c stamps lying around then that person bought them in good faith, and they shouldn't have to use 2 and effectively pay almost double to have a single letter posted.

While I do agree with you, the option of buying 5c stamps exists so the consumer doesn't have to use 2 55c stamps and over pay.

L1011 · 16-05-2013 12:44am

You can also buy N rate stamps which don't get affected by price increases. Good luck finding them though.

Cabaal · 16-05-2013 8:59am

Skid X wrote: »

If all Government Departments were Freepost, it would leave them open to abuse of the system, (thousands of people writing Freepost letters of complaint in a co-ordinated campaign just to run up a huge postage bill, for example)

Abuse that will then cost the people complaining (tax payer will end up paying for the huge bill),
Not the best form of protest :P

Anyway, back on topic, nope I've never heard of social welfare being freepost

nunn351 · 16-05-2013 2:43pm

I have always sent letters to SW freepost :

Go to welfare.ie and you will see many freepost addresses

here are a few for the lazy :

Household Benefits Section
Social Welfare Services
FREEPOST
College Road
Sligo
http://www.welfare.ie/en/Pages/2903_How-do-I-apply.aspx

Free Travel Section
FREEPOST
Social Welfare Services
College Road
Sligo.
http://www.welfare.ie/en/Pages/How-do-I-get-a-Free-Travel-Pass.aspx

Maternity Benefit Section
FREEPOST
Department of Social Protection
McCarter's Road
Ardarvan
Buncrana
Co. Donegal
http://www.welfare.ie/en/pdf/mb10.pdf

allthedoyles · 04-06-2014 10:37pm

Does anyone know if tax offices and Local Health Offices are '' freepost ''

Fred Swanson · 05-06-2014 1:11am

This post has been deleted.

mrsbyrne · 05-06-2014 8:41am

I chanced my arm sending a form to our Local Authority by Free post and it came back marked insufficient postage. All SW departments are Free post

allthedoyles · 05-06-2014 11:18am

mrsbyrne wrote: »

I chanced my arm sending a form to our Local Authority by Free post and it came back marked insufficient postage. All SW departments are Free post

Would SW and Local Health Office be same , ( i wonder )

mrsbyrne · 05-06-2014 11:33am

allthedoyles wrote: »

Would SW and Local Health Office be same , ( i wonder )

I might chance my arm with that to see how it yes. I'll let you know how it goes.

mozattack · 11-06-2015 7:53am

I dropped my child benefit in the post box literally 5 minutes ago and forgot to add a stamp.

Will it be delivered?

It is important as it includes letter from employer, letter from school confirming child's attendance etc. I had a stamp and was meaning to add it but was in a rush this morning. Geez

slimjimmc · 11-06-2015 8:13am

http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/social_welfare/social_welfare_payments/social_welfare_payments_to_families_and_children/child_benefit.html

If your child is not born in Ireland or their birth is not registered within the required time (3 months) you must fill in Child Benefit (form CB1) (pdf). You must send this form (CB1) with a copy of your baby's birth certificate (if your baby was not born in Ireland) by FREEPOST to the Child Benefit Section - see 'Where to apply' below. Birth certificates are not required for children born in the State.

It should be ok.
Closing this old thread

Are all Government Departments "Freepost"?

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