Pension Credit application delays

RebTech

I applied for PC on 18 June and well over three months later haven't heard from them.

Well, apart from a form about my SIPP which I had to sign then forward to the provider to be returned by them to DWP. From a comment during a phone call I believe if they hadn't gotten that back I'd have gotten a reminder.

I've rung several times and each time was told it would be chased up and I should hear within 10 working days, but nothing. On the last occasion the person said there was no sign anything had been done after the previous calls!

I'm taking that comment as a good sign, that she actually will do something, so I'm moderately hopeful at the moment.

But I just wondered, am I very unlucky or is this happening to a lot of people these days?

pmlindyloo

The waiting time for PC application varies from area to area.

Looking at your previous thread yours is not a straightforward claim and has been sent to a specialist decision maker.

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5808903/universal-credit-pension-credit

Therefore such a delay is not uncommon.

All you can do is what you have been doing - telephone on a regular basis to check that someone is dealing with it.

Are you still receiving your Universal Credit?

RebTech

OK but a small occupational pension and a SIPP surely doesn't make it all THAT complicated, three months still seems a bit excessive.

Not on UC now, I had two previous PC claims closed (without telling me) apparently due to being on it, since mid May my only income has been £130/mth, I've had to go into credit card debt and take UFPLS from the SIPP to survive.

xylophone

Have you now reached State Pension Age?

If so, have you claimed your state pension?

RebTech

Very nearly and yes. Though they want more info re non-existent employment (re NI) and when I rang up today all their systems were down!

But maybe somebody here can answer my question -- they seem to be asking about any employment but I'm guessing only this tax year is needed because they'll already have all previous NI info? (I completed my 17/18 tax return a few weeks ago.)

xylophone

With SIPP, occupational pension and state pension will your income be low enough for you to be eligible for PC?

they seem to be asking about any employment

Are they not clear about the specific information required?

RebTech

xylophone wrote: »

With SIPP, occupational pension and state pension will your income be low enough for you to be eligible for PC?

No, this is for the period between UC stopping and state pension starting.

Are they not clear about the specific information required?

They want details of employers but give no indication of which employers (eg any since 6 April), the way it's worded it seems to imply any and all employers ever.