Issue when claiming for Pension Credit

jhon_53

Hi,
I have an issue with the Pension Service office.

Back at the beginning of September I applied for Pension Credit and after more than THREE MONTHS I have not received an answer yet, in fact, I have been trying several times to get an update or reason of the delay and didn’t receive any.

However, I phoned them last week for the 7th time and the agent was so rude that the conversation became an argument and I hanged the phone.

The agent threatened me saying that if I didn't let her know who is financing me during these months while I am waiting for the resolution of my case she wasn’t going to send my case to a specialist analyst to give me an update.

I answered that's not relevant due the specific nature of my case, as I suffer a life threatening condition that requires an expensive diet and for so I am in need of the payment of the Pension Credit ASAP.
They already knew I do not have any other type of income, I do not have any other pension, I do not work, I do not have savings, properties, nothing to rely on, just depending on my daughter who is in financial hardship, hence the reason I claimed for PC.

Now, I have received a letter saying I need to send them evidence of the financial support my daughter is giving me and that “failure to supply evidence by the specified date may result in your application being closed and award amount made being nil”.

It's important to say the agent sounded quite young and inexpert over the phone and the letter does not have the name of the person who sent it, which is not custom from government institutions.

And I don’t think there is a legal basis that allows them to say they're going to close my application, which I think is just pure retaliation of an inexpert youngster working for this Department.

Also, I do not have evidence of money transfers to my account (evidence this agent is asking for) as my daughter has been providing my with accomodation, food and clothing bought straight away with her card.

What should I do in this case?

Do I need to rise a complaint against this abusive youngster that says one thing a second and then another thing the other second? First, she said she wasn't going to pass my case to an specialist agent and then in the letter she says my case will now be closed. To pass a case to specialist agent is too different than to close an application!!!

Should I address this case to an specific official in power above this inexpert youngster?

Who should I address this to??

TIA.

[Deleted User]

There are a number of questions relevant; how old are you?, if you suffer from a life threatening condition what benefits have you been receiving/are receiving? DLA PIP or AA spring to mind.
There were some changes made to pension credit in My this year
https://www.gov.uk/pension-credit/eligibility

calcotti

I believe there are long delays to all claims for Pension Credit at the moment. Therefore the delay may have nothing to do with your individual circumstances.

If you do not respond to the request for information your claim will not be progressed. As always in these circumstances, if you cannot provide exactly what has been requested simply provide what you can. A statement from your daughter may also be helpful.

You do not need to make a complaint in order to progress things. Obviously you can choose to make a complaint if you wish. https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-for-work-pensions/about/complaints-procedure

Your health has nothing to do with your basic entitlement to pension credit, although whether or not you get a disability benefit and your living arrangements may affect the amount you get.

whizzywoo

My own application for Pension Credit was made in April this year. It was 4 months before a claim was awarded.

I suggest you ring again and hopefully you will speak to someone who is more knowledgeable. Try to keep your temper and ask why your claim has not been dealt with in timely manner?

Are you receiving a State Retirement Pension?
Are you part of couple? If your spouse or partner is below State Retirement age then you may not be able to claim Pension Credit.
Have you filled in any forms detailing your income?

I rang several times to try and accelerate my own claim. It was not until I pointed out that the DWP's Charter says that claims should be dealt with in a timely manner and that I should be kept informed at all stages, that any progress was made. I made a formal telephone complaint to this effect and my claim was resolved the following week.

tboo

jhon_53 wrote: »

Hi,
I have an issue with the Pension Service office.

Back at the beginning of September I applied for Pension Credit and after more than THREE MONTHS I have not received an answer yet, in fact, I have been trying several times to get an update or reason of the delay and didn’t receive any.

However, I phoned them last week for the 7th time and the agent was so rude that the conversation became an argument and I hanged the phone.

The agent threatened me saying that if I didn't let her know who is financing me during these months while I am waiting for the resolution of my case she wasn’t going to send my case to a specialist analyst to give me an update.

I answered that's not relevant due the specific nature of my case, as I suffer a life threatening condition that requires an expensive diet and for so I am in need of the payment of the Pension Credit ASAP.
They already knew I do not have any other type of income, I do not have any other pension, I do not work, I do not have savings, properties, nothing to rely on, just depending on my daughter who is in financial hardship, hence the reason I claimed for PC.

Now, I have received a letter saying I need to send them evidence of the financial support my daughter is giving me and that “failure to supply evidence by the specified date may result in your application being closed and award amount made being nil”.

It's important to say the agent sounded quite young and inexpert over the phone and the letter does not have the name of the person who sent it, which is not custom from government institutions.

And I don’t think there is a legal basis that allows them to say they're going to close my application, which I think is just pure retaliation of an inexpert youngster working for this Department.

Also, I do not have evidence of money transfers to my account (evidence this agent is asking for) as my daughter has been providing my with accomodation, food and clothing bought straight away with her card.

What should I do in this case?

Do I need to rise a complaint against this abusive youngster that says one thing a second and then another thing the other second? First, she said she wasn't going to pass my case to an specialist agent and then in the letter she says my case will now be closed. To pass a case to specialist agent is too different than to close an application!!!

Should I address this case to an specific official in power above this inexpert youngster?

Who should I address this to??

TIA.

From the OP's other thread - I'll also start driving for the first time in July here in the UK

So the OP may have recently come to the UK from abroad


Could be an issue for them?

elmer

I assess for a different benefit, but if someone says they don't have any income, after a month we ask how they are living day to day with no income and ask for details of how they are managing in writing, this sounds similar.

They want to know how you are managing after 3 months with no declared income

elmer

jhon_53

tboo wrote: »

From the OP's other thread - I'll also start driving for the first time in July here in the UK

So the OP may have recently come to the UK from abroad


Could be an issue for them?

As others have indicated above it has nothing to do with nationality, it's a general delay I have noticed speaking with other pensioners over the last 24 hours.
And with this current environment, I'm afraid to say you comment sounded a bit racist, if not, apologies If I made a wrong assumption.
Have a good day and merry Christmas!

tboo

jhon_53 wrote: »

As others have indicated above it has nothing to do with nationality, it's a general delay I have noticed speaking with other pensioners over the last 24 hours.
And with this current environment, I'm afraid to say you comment sounded a bit racist, if not, apologies If I made a wrong assumption.
Have a good day and merry Christmas!

What!

Excuse me, posting that you may have issues due to you coming from abroad is not racist
It's due to been able to claim benefits and everyone has to do it

No other post mentioned nationality either



https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/claiming-benefits-if-youre-from-the-EU/before-you-apply/check-if-you-can-pass-the-habitual-residence-test-for-benefits/

[Deleted User]

jhon_53 wrote: »

As others have indicated above it has nothing to do with nationality, it's a general delay I have noticed speaking with other pensioners over the last 24 hours.
And with this current environment, I'm afraid to say you comment sounded a bit racist, if not, apologies If I made a wrong assumption.
Have a good day and merry Christmas!

Sorry but non of the advice sounded in any way racist

OhWow

jhon_53 wrote: »

Hi,

The agent threatened me saying that if I didn't let her know who is financing me during these months while I am waiting for the resolution of my case she wasn’t going to send my case to a specialist analyst to give me an update.

I answered that's not relevant due the specific nature of my case, as I suffer a life threatening condition that requires an expensive diet and for so I am in need of the payment of the Pension Credit ASAP.
They already knew I do not have any other type of income, I do not have any other pension, I do not work, I do not have savings, properties, nothing to rely on, just depending on my daughter who is in financial hardship, hence the reason I claimed for PC.

tboo wrote: »

From the OP's other thread - I'll also start driving for the first time in July here in the UK

So the OP may have recently come to the UK from abroad


Could be an issue for them?

This latter quote from your previous thread, is very relevant to your opening post.



If you have moved to the UK as you have claimed you are financially dependant on your daughter who now lives in the UK, then she is meant to still be providing for you.


What laws are you following to be in the UK, EU rules of free movement, or UK "visa" immigration rules?

What is your nationality?

WillowCat

Have you claimed your state pension yet? PC is a top up to state pension, not a replacement.

Were you claiming income replacement benefits before you reached state pension age? ESA or JSA or UC?