One missing month, two letters.
The application is in, but one of three proofs of income is missing. By the time anyone notices, the case has generated two letters, two deadlines and two follow-up reminders.
14attachments on receiptThe housing benefit application arrives through the citizen service portal with 14 attachments.
1missing month of incomeOne of three proofs of income is not included.
1unsigned rent certificateThe second gap only comes to light when the file is opened again.
2lettersEach gap gets its own request for documents, with its own deadline and its own follow-up reminder.
One request for documents instead of two means 60 to 75% fewer follow-up queries per application, and the file is opened again only once.
The 60 to 75% reduction in follow-up queries is this agent's headline figure. Two letters and a file opened three times describe the usual course of events in a housing benefit office; they are not counted figures.