Allowing electronic claims for state pension credit in response to coronavirus outbreak

New statutory instrument

New regulations have been issued in relation to allowing electronic claims for state pension credit in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.

In force from 4 May 2020, the State Pension Credit (Coronavirus) (Electronic Claims) (Amendment) Regulations 2020 (SI.No.456/2020) amend the Social Security (Claims and Payments) Regulations 1987 to allow electronic claims to be made for state pension credit if certain conditions are satisfied.

In the explanatory memorandum to the regulations, the DWP advises that, since one of the conditions is that the person is permitted to use an electronic communication by an authorisation given by means of a direction of the Secretary of State, a direction will be placed in the libraries of both Houses of Parliament and will be available online at: gov.uk/government/publications/the-social-security-electronic-communications-directions

The DWP also highlights that -

'As part of the government’s strategy of supporting people affected by COVID-19, the Department has developed an electronic option for claiming state pension credit. This is intended to relieve pressure on the Department’s telephony system and to allow people to claim state pension credit at a time of their own choosing and without having to leave their home. The claim will be able to be made from www.gov.uk.'

SI.No.456/2020 is available from legislation.gov.uk

Stop press (11 May 2020) - the Social Security (Electronic Communications) (Amendment) Directions 2020 are now available from gov.uk