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Pension Credit Processing Delays
Mandatory reconsiderations are taking months. I have one which is really straight forward they claimed client was working - she wasn’t. 4 months later there is still no decision. Calls to PS are responded with we will send an email. Today the response is there is no time frame for a MR. I think the next stop will have to be to the local MP.
Rather ironic that they are launching their pension credit uptake this week when delays are so long.
Could also consider using CPAG JR pre-action letters - there’s one specifically on delays in MR - see https://cpag.org.uk/welfare-rights/judicial-review/judicial-review-pre-action-letters
Are there any escalation numbers for PC, apologies if this has already been provided in thread.
Are there any escalation numbers for PC, apologies if this has already been provided in thread.
At the moment, sadly not. We keep lobbying for some kind of public escalation route being made available for advisers but for whatever reason, they won’t implement.
Over the past 12 months, I have found referring the matter via the client’s MP to be very effective. (Definitely more effective than using the standard complaint/escalation process, which resulted, in every one of my cases, in a total failure to respond.
There are evidently serious, systemic issues at the Pension Service (which the generic DWP “good news” culture means cannot be admitted to), yet, as the post points out, they continue to solicit further claims which they plainly do not have capacity to process.
Are there any escalation numbers for PC, apologies if this has already been provided in thread.
Generally they say use the partnership managers for escalation - local initially and then if still not successful regional
Are there any escalation numbers for PC, apologies if this has already been provided in thread.
Generally they say use the partnership managers for escalation - local initially and then if still not successful regional
Good luck with that.
Literally refused to reactivate regular local liaison as there was no need because everything could go through a Partnership Manager.
I have no words.
Hi
Do we have an update on processing times for this please. I have a very poorly client who I have SR1 for but pension credit do not recognise the form.
Hi
Do we have an update on processing times for this please. I have a very poorly client who I have SR1 for but pension credit do not recognise the form.
The SR1 form is for special rules for benefits like AA - that might be why the Pension Service are telling you they don’t recognise it as it doesn’t apply to PC.
Bump.
I’m starting to hear messaging that things are deteriorating again. PS have admitted they’re still struggling with international issues despite our yelling “use the employee checking service” as far and wide as possible.
Is it just international issues or are natives seeing delays again?
Bump.
I’m starting to hear messaging that things are deteriorating again. PS have admitted they’re still struggling with international issues despite our yelling “use the employee checking service” as far and wide as possible.
Is it just international issues or are natives seeing delays again?
“International Issues”?????? in what way do events abroad impact on the PS’ inability to deliver a service?
Or are they recruiting overseas now?
“International Issues”?????? in what way do events abroad impact on the PS’ inability to deliver a service?
Or are they recruiting overseas now?
Anything involving right to reside and similar is what Dan means I think, we’ve seen lots of cases where nothing has happened for months where this is an issue.
I wondered if “international” was a typo and what they actually meant was “internal”.
Resurrecting this old thread following a conversation with a client yesterday. We helped her with a claim for Pension Credit in early December 2023. She has not heard back yet so she phoned the helpline on Monday. She was told that because she has savings her application has not yet been processed as they are prioritising applications from people who do not have savings. They also told her that it could take up to a year to process her application.
Has anyone else heard this? We have been advising client’s it will take around 6 weeks to process their claims as that is the timescale currently given when we submit an application.