Applying for state pension over the phone - advice

awaw76

I need to help my wife apply for her state pension, its for the basic state pension which we deferred.
My wife is hard of hearing and cannot speak properly - can anyone give their experience of using the text relay service?
For data protection I do not think I can speak on behalf of my wife.

calcotti

I can't comment on the text relay service.
If she is able to communicate enough to confirm her identity she can then authorise you to speak on her behalf. You could start the call, explain the purpose of the call, get her to confirm identity and authorise you and then you can provide any more details required.

If necessary there also appears to be an option to download a claim form and apply by post. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-basic-state-pension

awaw76

calcotti said:

I can't comment on the text relay service.
If she is able to communicate enough to confirm her identity she can then authorise you to speak on her behalf. You could start the call, explain the purpose of the call, get her to confirm identity and authorise you and the you can provide any more details required.

If necessary there also appears to be an option to download a claim form and apply by 

I have seen the application form. It is straight forward but with all this coronavirus they are very slow with the post. 
She can hear to an extent and can talk  a little. She would struggle with full sentences. 

calcotti

awaw76 said:

calcotti said:

I can't comment on the text relay service.
If she is able to communicate enough to confirm her identity she can then authorise you to speak on her behalf. You could start the call, explain the purpose of the call, get her to confirm identity and authorise you and the you can provide any more details required.

If necessary there also appears to be an option to download a claim form and apply by 

I have seen the application form. It is straight forward but with all this coronavirus they are very slow with the post. 
She can hear to an extent and can talk  a little. She would struggle with full sentences. 

The text relay service may be easier - I simply don't know. However if you ring and explain the situation and ask if you can repeat the questions to her she may simply need to be able to confirm her name, NI number and address and then authorise you to speak.

I agree postal application is likely to take much longer.

The new State Pension has an option to claim online but unfortunately this doesn't appear to apply to basic State Pension.

TELLIT01

The Pension Service would need your wife's permission in order to speak to her but once given it should remain in place.  You can call them and explain the situation and get their advice on how you can move things forward.  Your wife may have to write to them to give permission for you to act on her behalf.

sheramber

have been on the receiving end where text went to the relay service and a a relay assistant spoke  to us. We replied to that person who  forwarded the answer  by text to the caller.
It worked okay.

awaw76

sheramber said:

have been on the receiving end where text went to the relay service and a a relay assistant spoke  to us. We replied to that person who  forwarded the answer  by text to the caller.
It worked okay.

But then where is the privacy?

xylophone

If necessary there also appears to be an option to download a claim form and apply by post. 

This is a pension deferred for well over a year. See

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/77429174/#Comment_77429174

xylophone

But then where is the privacy?

Under the circumstances, it might be best for you to telephone in your wife's presence, explain the situation, and ask her to give permission for you to speak on her behalf.

When you telephone, be sure to have her NI number and date of birth  to hand (particularly in view of 

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/77429272/#Comment_77429272)

and your own NI number, date of birth and date of marriage.

This would at least be a start - if nothing else, you should be advised how your wife should proceed.

xylophone

Another thought, in view of your wife's difficulties, had she thought about granting you Power of Attorney?
https://www.gov.uk/power-of-attorney

sheramber

awaw76 said:

sheramber said:

have been on the receiving end where text went to the relay service and a a relay assistant spoke  to us. We replied to that person who  forwarded the answer  by text to the caller.
It worked okay.

But then where is the privacy?

https://www.relayuk.bt.com/about-relay-uk.html

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