Universal credit and private pension contributions

HaircutHel

This relates to the previous assessment period. Does anyone know I request an MR? I fear if I just write that in my journal it will be ignored. Do I need to phone up or write in? Thanks 

michaels

I eventually got a positive response by putting in a payment query journal entry several times asking for an MR - just got as far as uploading so not certain yet it will work.

spaniel101

HaircutHel said:

This relates to the previous assessment period. Does anyone know I request an MR? I fear if I just write that in my journal it will be ignored. Do I need to phone up or write in? Thanks 

Did you report your Net SIPP contribution on the day you made it (within that assessment period) ?

Have you journal messaged under ‘payments’ ?



“For MR/Decision Maker - separate to my occupational pension (net pay pre-tax RTI), I also pay into a relief at source Private personal pension (SIPP) post tax.  I am required to report these to you separately on a monthly basis in order to deduct from pay to establish employed earnings used in the calculation of UC.  Please confirm this has gone to a Decision Maker.

UC legislation 55 (5) (a):

"In calculating the amount of a persons employed earnings in respect of an assessment period, there are to be deducted from the amount of general earnings or benefits specified in paragraph (2) to (4):

a)   ANY relievable pension contributions by the person in that period.

Also covered under UC ADM H3170 to H3173.”

HaircutHel

Thank you. I have done as you suggest in my journal. It takes them so long to reply, it’s frustrating! Unfortunately I reported it the day after my assessment period ended, the payment itself was made 3 days before that. Do you think that means they won’t take it into account? 

spaniel101

HaircutHel said:

Thank you. I have done as you suggest in my journal. It takes them so long to reply, it’s frustrating! Unfortunately I reported it the day after my assessment period ended, the payment itself was made 3 days before that. Do you think that means they won’t take it into account? 

You ‘should’ report (& request MR & upload function) contributions made, within the assessment period in which they were made.

Did you put the query under ‘payments’, not just ‘work coach’?

’Payments’ journal queries go to your case manager.  

If you have chased this up relentlessly,  then time to put a complaint in and demand it goes to a Decision Maker.

https://makeacomplaint.dwp.gov.uk/

spaniel101

michaels said:

I eventually got a positive response by putting in a payment query journal entry several times asking for an MR - just got as far as uploading so not certain yet it will work.

@michaels - if you are STILL waiting since having sent your upload across, something is going wrong.

i would chase up again / complaint & let them know, if you don't have a response within the next 3 days, you are contacting your MP.

https://makeacomplaint.dwp.gov.uk/



Ive just had my latest one back within 1 week of uploading, decision made within 3 days & reimbursement due tomorrow, as usual (normal UC payment received just yesterday).

Largs

It was reported that this has been picked up by the former pensions minister and things are going to get better at the DWP possibly.

https://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/pensions/article-13664417/Pension-blunder-DWP-Steve-Webb-Universal-Credit.html

HaircutHel

@Largs that looks hopeful! It would be great if they sorted this out. (For me looks like I left it too late as I reported late - too used to tax credits where they sort it all out at the end of the year!) 

NedS

It's largely a training / lack of knowledge issue. The legislation has always existed. There has been a process, albeit not a great process, in place for quite some while to deal with this scenario. However, it was relatively uncommon and when someone did report 3rd party pension contributions, most DWP case managers were unfamiliar with how to handle that and dismissed it. With the managed migration from WTCs, it's been more prevalent recently, probably why the press have now picked up on it, and the increased numbers coming through the system have been noted and the process refined. But there's still a fundamental lack of knowledge amongst frontline staff, unless they've individually come across such a case that has been correctly handled.

There's also little empathy within DWP for the notion of people being able to pay large parts of their salary into a private pension and receive an increased UC award as a result. As a consequence, upskilling staff in this respect is not going to be a priority so it is likely the current situation of mishandling such cases will continue.

On the positive side, because of the increased number of cases due to WTC managed migration, the Decision Making team have now seen a sufficient number of cases flow through the system that they are now proficient at making the right decisions on these cases when they come before them, preventing the need for further tribunal filings.

NedS

HaircutHel said:

@Largs that looks hopeful! It would be great if they sorted this out. (For me looks like I left it too late as I reported late - too used to tax credits where they sort it all out at the end of the year!) 

Take a look at the bottom of your Statement - If you think we've made a mistake or want to appeal

If you think we've made a mistake

It is important that you tell us straight away.

You can ask for a written explanation. You need to contact us within 1 month of the date on this statement. You can write to us at Freepost DWP UNIVERSAL CREDIT FULL SERVICE, or call us.

If the UC award has failed to take into consideration private pension contributions, you have 1 month to notify them and provide the evidence.

You should request (insist upon) a Mandatory Reconsideration (MR) decision for this.