any advice gratefully received -

a long delayed retirement pension claim by a person living abroad is now being held up because his dependent wife doesn't have a national insurance number. overseas branch have informed his relative that a DCI referral will now be made - normally takes 2-3 months.

both living in pakistan. i haven't come across this before - does anyone know how the procedures work? and the likely timescale - 2 months is around the local waiting time hereabouts.

thanks

jj