Mum has not received her 1st pension payment yet.

thebailey

My mum turned 66 on, 29th July.

Before this date, I filled in the application for online for her, and we received a reply saying it has been accepted and it said

"What happens next

State Pension is paid in arrears, the first payment is usually paid up to 4 weeks after your State Pension date. You will receive details about your State Pension before your first payment. We may contact you if we need more information"

However, we have heard nothing since.  No letters in the post, no emails and no pension as of yet.  She keeps trying to phone the number she has for pensions and it's an automated message saying "Due to covid, we are only dealing with bereavments. For more information, go to our website"

I've went to the website and there is no help at all on there.  That's now 5 weeks since my mum turned retirement age, and she is having to borrow money from my sister to live on as well.

Any idea what's going on here?
Thanks

P.S We live in Scotland, if it makes a difference?

calcotti

I have seen reports of delays processing State Pensions on other forums.
https://www.rightsnet.org.uk/forums/viewthread/17493/
I don't think being in Scotland makes any difference.
As you indicate, how people are supposed to survive while waiting I have no idea. Any other benefits (like Housing Benefit) are likely to be suspended until the SP amount is known.

Alice_Holt

Seems not to be uncommon:
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6291506/first-payment-of-state-pension-not-received/p1
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6292387/first-state-pension-payment#latest
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6287775/the-day-after-my-state-pension-qualifying-age-nothing-heard-from-the-dwp/p1

Getting your mum's MP involved may help. Particularly as she is borrowing money to survive.
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/78531310/#Comment_78531310


Is she eligible for Pension Credit?

thebailey

Thanks for the help guys.

Pension Credit, yes, she will be entitled to that.  Can that help us, get to the bottom of this quicker?  Thanks.

calcotti

thebailey said: Pension Credit, yes, she will be entitled to that.  Can that help us, get to the bottom of this quicker?  

Doubt it, both State Pension and Pension Credit dealt with by Pension Service and Pension Credit cannot be calculated until amount of State pension is determined.

Alice_Holt

thebailey said:

Pension Credit, yes, she will be entitled to that.  Can that help us, get to the bottom of this quicker?  Thanks.

     Not necessarily,  But she should apply for it now (if she hasn't already):
     https://www.gov.uk/pension-credit/how-to-claim

     as it can only be backdated 3 months.


    https://www.ageuk.org.uk/information-advice/money-legal/benefits-entitlements/pension-credit/

  https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/help-if-on-a-low-income/pension-credit/before-you-claim-pension-credit/check-if-you-can-get-pension-credit/


   Not sure how Pension Credit will treat the weeks for which State Pension has not been received (but is due). A telephone conversation with them may prompt them to chase up her SP. 
  However, I also understand PC claims are also facing delay, so apply asap and keep the MP informed.

thebailey

Alice_Holt said:

thebailey said:

Pension Credit, yes, she will be entitled to that.  Can that help us, get to the bottom of this quicker?  Thanks.

     Not necessarily,  But she should apply for it now (if she hasn't already):
     https://www.gov.uk/pension-credit/how-to-claim

     as it can only be backdated 3 months.


    https://www.ageuk.org.uk/information-advice/money-legal/benefits-entitlements/pension-credit/

  https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/help-if-on-a-low-income/pension-credit/before-you-claim-pension-credit/check-if-you-can-get-pension-credit/


   Not sure how Pension Credit will treat the weeks for which State Pension has not been received (but is due). A telephone conversation with them may prompt them to chase up her SP. 
  However, I also understand PC claims are also facing delay, so apply asap and keep the MP informed.

To be honest, I am also clueless about Pension benefits.  I just thought Pension credit was a top up, from the same department i.e the same people deal with it?

I've said to my mum to phone the MP up.  We'll see how we get on.  Thanks.

TELLIT01

No consolation to the OP's mother but I always found the Pensions people to be the most helpful and sympathetic, both when I worked for DWP and needed information or help from them, and when trying to help my disabled brother find out what their entitlement would be.

calcotti

TELLIT01 said: No consolation to the OP's mother but I always found the Pensions people to be the most helpful and sympathetic, both when I worked for DWP and needed information or help from them, and when trying to help my disabled brother find out what their entitlement would be.

Although I think that was true the Pension Service are currently struggling as with all parts of DWP due to home working, staff sickness and backlog of work.

Rubyroobs

I have needed to ring the Pension service on a couple of occasions in the last few weeks when clients have experienced delays in their state pensions being paid. There does seem to be backlogs but a phone call has speeded them up on both occasions, although one was terminally ill so that may have been a factor. I have not had a problem getting through, I have had to hold for around 30 minutes each time but have successfully been able to speak to someone.

TELLIT01

calcotti said:

TELLIT01 said: No consolation to the OP's mother but I always found the Pensions people to be the most helpful and sympathetic, both when I worked for DWP and needed information or help from them, and when trying to help my disabled brother find out what their entitlement would be.

Although I think that was true the Pension Service are currently struggling as with all parts of DWP due to home working, staff sickness and backlog of work.

I accept that calcotti but at least callers are likely to get somebody on the other end who actually does care about resolving the situation quickly.