Impossible to contact the DWP??

Annsby

I've been trying for a week now to phone (on a daily basis) the DWP for a code to pay class 3 contributions and can not get through. Is anyone else experiencing this issue?

In fact, over the last 2 days it has got worse now and I am just getting an engaged tone from most options. So, I can not even get into the queue. In the past I have waited over 30 mins and still not been answered. 

Also, I noticed today that the DWP have changed the options on the auto-attendant. It used to give you an option to be able to speak to someone about paying such contributions - this option has now been removed! So, the options actually do not give you the 'option' now to speak to someone about this.

I'm not sure what to do, if I can not actually get into the phone queuing system, as this is the only method of contacting the DWP.

Does anyone know if there is another number or an email address that I can contact to get my payment code, as without this I cannot make additional payments online (or anywhere).

Time is running out!!

Martin Lewis - Can you HELP PLEASE!!!

molerat

What number are you trying ?  You need to contact HMRC for the code to pay.

Annsby

0800 731 0181 - as per the pensions portal website

molerat

The FPC line is for confirming if the payments would actually add value.  You need to speak to HMRC to get the code https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/hm-revenue-customs/contact/national-insurance-enquiries-for-employees-and-individuals

Are you absolutely certain the years you want to pay will add to your pension ?  If so try going direct to HMRC.

Silvertabby

I'm not surprised the phone lines are maxed out.  I watched the Martin Lewis pensions show on Tuesday night, during which he actively encouraged everyone to check to see if paying old year's NI contributions (before the 5 April cut off) could improve their State pensions.  A little later he made a joke about the DWP pensions website crashing, "so people are listening!"

I suspect that many of the people clogging up the phone lines won't be eligible, but are checking anyway out of FOMO (fear of missing out).  Pity those who really do need to get through now.

I don't normally watch the Martin Lewis shows because (a) he's not always right and (b) his support for the WASPEs, but I watched this one out of curiosity.  Nothing new for me, but could have been very confusing for most people without a pensions background.  At the end of it, Mr S asked me if there was anything that affects us, or if we should be doing something, and happily accepted my answer "no".  Mind you, we have that exchange every time pensions are mentioned in the media....

alfonso

Do you think they will extend the deadline due to the recent rush causing jamming and crashing websites and phone lines ?

Silvertabby

alfonso said:

Do you think they will extend the deadline due to the recent rush causing jamming and crashing websites and phone lines ?

Doubt it.  The deadline was announced 7 years ago.

p00hsticks

Silvertabby said:

I don't normally watch the Martin Lewis shows because (a) he's not always right and (b) his support for the WASPEs, but I watched this one out of curiosity.  Nothing new for me, but could have been very confusing for most people without a pensions background. 

I couldn't watch it, but the number of news stories about it and threads on it here following it - especially talking about 'needing 35 years' - make me think that either he's passing on wrong information or (to give him the benefit of the doubt) he's telling it how it is but is failing to make the message clear enough for his viewers to properly comprehend. 

alfonso

p00hsticks said:

Silvertabby said:

I don't normally watch the Martin Lewis shows because (a) he's not always right and (b) his support for the WASPEs, but I watched this one out of curiosity.  Nothing new for me, but could have been very confusing for most people without a pensions background. 

I couldn't watch it, but the number of news stories about it and threads on it here following it - especially talking about 'needing 35 years' - make me think that either he's passing on wrong information or (to give him the benefit of the doubt) he's telling it how it is but is failing to make the message clear enough for his viewers to properly comprehend. 

I was a tad confused advising people to take out loans in order to meet the shortfalls. Would that debt not be passed onto the next of kin etc if they passed before getting the benefit?

eskbanker

alfonso said:
I was a tad confused advising people to take out loans in order to meet the shortfalls. Would that debt not be passed onto the next of kin etc if they passed before getting the benefit?

I didn't see the show so can't comment on the context of such a remark, but debts don't pass onto next of kin, or anybody else - they'd be settled from the estate if possible, or written off if not....

pinnks

I saw this bit and the context was that although ML would not normally suggest taking loans for this sort of thing, given that life expectancy is 19 years or so (whatever those statistics mean to real people), then if the rates and repayments are "sensible" (my word) then funding NI payments by way of a loan might still make sense.