The day after my state pension qualifying age, nothing heard from the DWP

Listlad

Update. Letter to MP gone out today. 

Thrugelmir

JGB1955 said:

I have no idea why the process has become so 'shabby' 9 months later. They can't use Covid as an excuse - the process worked a year ago.... why doesn't it now?

Staff leaving and retiring and not being replaced. Back logs then build. Also people self isolate, look after their kids etc.  Then decide to go on holiday in August as foreign holidays are possible.  Unfortunately people expect to speak to Alexa and a team of elfs magically materialises to solve the challenge these days. 

Listlad

Thrugelmir said:

JGB1955 said:

I have no idea why the process has become so 'shabby' 9 months later. They can't use Covid as an excuse - the process worked a year ago.... why doesn't it now?

Staff leaving and retiring and not being replaced. Back logs then build. Also people self isolate, look after their kids etc.  Then decide to go on holiday in August as foreign holidays are possible.  Unfortunately people expect to speak to Alexa and a team of elfs magically materialises to solve the challenge these days. 

The galling thing is there is nothing. Not even a text or email or anything to say, sorry we are late, we will get back to you soon. That’s the damming thing. Quite a number of people are getting absolutely no communication whatsoever. 

xylophone

Unfortunately people expect to speak to Alexa and a team of elfs magically materialises to solve the challenge these days. 

No - they expect an efficient service from competent and properly trained staff.

TaweJohn

I agree with Listlad. I can accept there may be delays due to everything which has happened with the pandemic. 
But, the absence of communication from DWP, and the lack of better access to DWP, is frustrating. 

Listlad

TaweJohn said:

I agree with Listlad. I can accept there may be delays due to everything which has happened with the pandemic. 
But, the absence of communication from DWP, and the lack of better access to DWP, is frustrating. 

@TaweJohn was it the Minister for DWP that you contacted? Theresa Coffee? 

TaweJohn

Yes at her department address 

Secretary of State for Work andPensions
Caxton House
Tothill Street
London
SW1H 9NA

Listlad

I received this today from the Shadow MP for DWP

Hello xxxx

Thank you very much for your email regarding delayed payment of your State Pension.

I have been very grateful for people bringing this issue to my attention. Everyone should have the security that when they retire, they will ahve the immediate support of the State Pension. I raised the problem of delayed payments directly with the Government when I was first made aware a number of weeks ago.

As you may have seen, the Government have now finally admitted that there has been a backlog caused by the pandemic and staff shortages. It is disappointing that the Government were not more proactive in getting this resolved. They must urgently process all outstanding claims and I can assure you that I will continue to chase this.

I am unable to raise individual cases with the Government from people who live outside of my constituency so I would strongly recommend contacting your local MP if you haven't already so that can make a representation to Government and chase the amount you are owed.

Thank you again for bringing this to my attention. While I am pleased we have managed to get the Government to acknowledge the problem, we will continue to monitor this until everyone has access to the State Pension they deserve. Please do get back in touch if this hasn't been resolved soon.

Best wishes
Jonathan

xylophone

As you may have seen, the Government have now finally admitted that there has been a backlog caused by the pandemic and staff shortages.

The pandemic caused the backlog? Not incompetent management of staff and resources during the pandemic"?

This always reminds me of the old "software error" excuse..... of course there was never a human being involved..

https://metro.co.uk/2021/09/08/kent-council-worker-rejects-planning-applications-by-mistake-and-calls-one-whack-15225658/

Listlad

And in the Telegraph.

“ Pensioners have been left in financial distress after widespread delays with state pension payments during the pandemic has led to growing backlogs.

People turning 66, the minimum state pension age, have waited months for their pension to start paying out, despite making numerous calls to the Department for Work and Pensions to rectify the issue. The DWP has admitted to problem delays.

Guy Opperman, the pensions minister, told Parliament there were backlogs in initial state pension payments due to “staffing issues” during the pandemic. Normal service would not be resumed until the end of October, he said, though hundreds of additional staff have been brought onboard to tackle the issue.

Sue Lockett, 68, said her sister was reduced to tears after a DWP official told her she “wouldn’t starve” and “there were plenty of food banks around” while she waited for £1,590 in overdue payments.

Mrs Lockett, who acted on behalf of her sister Jean Walton, said no money had arrived in her account since her 66th birthday on June 30. That is despite helping her apply for her state pension three months in advance to ensure there would be no issues. Mrs Walton failed to meet her rent payments following the delay. 

“I told the DWP she had never been behind with her rent for the past 30 years and would be in arrears for the first time through no fault of her own.,” Mrs Lockett said. “I told them she was struggling to pay her bills and food from her savings, which have now gone. One DWP assistant told me that she ‘won’t starve as there are plenty of food banks nearby’. I was disgusted for them to even suggest that.””