can anyone tell me what the usual processing time for a guarantee pension credit claim is? i've a couple of clients who applied quite some time before before christmas and still havent received a payment

thanks in advance

The turnaround on PC claims in Birmingham has increased dramatically due to claims now being processed in stockport rather than Birmingham.
Instead of most claims being dealt with in a week or two we are now experiencing delays of 3 months regularly.

We surely can't keep putting up with this - they're getting away with murder. We've been having the same problems and sending numerous official complaint letters but all we get weeks later is a written apology which really isn't good enough.

I've been seriously considering whether we should be advising such clients to make applications for mandatory orders to compel whichever agency is dilly dallying to process claims within a reasonable time.

Sue

the office i contacted recently suggested 8 weeks was an average time to wait for a claim to be processed. i was under the impression that until fairly recently PC claims were dealt with fairly quickly.

8 weeks is an unacceptable time for someone to be without an income to wait, particulalrly pensioners, who supposedly the government "care" about

A colleague tells me that TPS Local Service staff have been told to no longer enquire to processing centres about outstanding claims. Our cases go to Stockport. We know that 14 weeks is not unusual and that more cases are being lost. Cases no longer seem to be being registered on receipt. The space at the back of their filing cabinets must be flippin' massive. This the link to the maladminstration information on DWP site.
http://www.dwp.gov.uk/publications/dwp/2003/frm/08_exgsp.asp#t
A volley of such claims might set some red lights going ('Fly my pretties' as Mr Burns might say).

Disappointingly the Pension Service has failed to maintain its promising beginnings. And how bad can it get!!
Cl died early Dec. Assisted wife to make telephone claim in her own name the next day.
Last week visited cl at home to find four demands for overpayment of Council Tax Benefit and no Pension Credit yet.(therefore no money over Xmas as well as being bereaved)
Rang Pension Service, they stated no claim on system. Agreed to email 'new claims'for me but said it took five days for internal emails to be responded to - So what chance have we got?
Of course I got through myself to 'new claims' quicker than that, but only to be told there had been a system error and although claim was showing, it had not been processed and would have to be re-submitted!!
Surely there should be a simpler method when a claimant dies and the partner on the claim needs to continue claiming?

well i think i shall write to my MP to let him know just how tardy the current service is. i doubt it will have much effect but i suppose if i sit and do nothing, then the only result will be nothing happening to improve the service

Just to update on the case I shared re. my client whose husband died 7th Dec and claim made in her name the next day.
She still hasn't received any award, although after a complaint and many phone calls I was promised a manual payment to her this week.
After the system error I was told the person processing the claim was off sick!
Next it was the carer premium run on which made it complicated!!!
Finally this week I was told they had not received confirmation of the death until 9th Feb.... Funny that - Bereavement Payment was made a few weeks ago.
Pathetic..

i have a meeting arranged with my MP mike o'brien to bring this matter to his attention.

i shall raise the issue of ridiculous social fund waiting times as well (up to 14 weeks to deal with a coomunity care grant!)

I helped my mother claim PC last March, she resides in London, claim sent to Newcastle, then forwarded to Birmingham because of backlog in processing....in payment by August but no eligible housing costs included. So, I have been ringing, writing on regular basis to resolve and have now advised a formal written complaint will be sent if claim is not reviewed within 7 days. Excuses & promises all add up to a poor service for customers. I feel sorry for customers with no help, I am sure in my mother would not have been aware that there was any problem. As an advisor I ensured all the information they needed was included.....but it got lost somewhere along the line as did our faith!

Hi Sandra!!
problems here in Newcastle too - claim went in before Chrsitmas still no decision - 17 week backlog...

i've just come across another case of time delays of processing a PC claim.

my client had been waiting about eight weeks just to have a her PC claim changed from a single claim to a joint one after her partner moved in. now they've told her they dont have the claim form and that they'll send a new one for her to complete.

what joy