The length of time taken to get Pension Credit

Sbos

I was widowed in October 2023 and while I was fairly sure I would be entitled to Pension Credit I waited to apply because I knew I was eligible to a lump sum from my late husbands private pension. This was taking forever so in January 2024 (it took until April 30th 2024) after doing the online calculator again I decided to apply for PC online and ask for it to be backdated to October 2023. Jan 8th 2024 I received acknowledgement for my application and was to told to ring if I'd heard nothing by Feb 19th. I rang on the 20th and they confirmed they had received my application but were very busy and someone would ring me within 10 working days. No phone call. I have been ringing every month since then (6 phone calls in total). Very sorry, very busy, someone will ring. Still no one has been in touch. In May I made a complaint and was told I would get confirmation of my complaint within 15 working days, nothing! My last call on 11th June the woman at the other end of the phone said looking at my details I wasn't eligible. I mentioned the calculator and she said that they sometimes had problems with that and it didn't always work right. I said ok, if I'm not eligible why haven't I heard anything. Her response was that they were very busy with it taking up to 12 weeks (this is after I had told her it had been 5 months) I don't know what to do next, I can't complain to the Ombudsman until I have had a decision. I know that if/when I am successful in getting my PC I will have to tell them of a change of circumstances. I wrote to my local MP and got no response not even automated acknowledgement I'm guessing because of this election thing. Sorry this has been such a long post but I don't know what to do next. I'm 74 and my husband and I have worked all our lives. I don't want anything I'm not entitled to but if I am entitled then I will have it. Any advice will be gratefully received. Thant you

Bigwheels1111

You just have to wait I'm sorry to say.

Every type of benefit is taking forever.

My friends carers allowance took 13 months in total.

My nephew's pip review was last May, from memory. Still nothing.

But he is still getting his payments.

Look at it this way, you are at WAR, never give up.

Good luck going forward.

Murphybear

I applied for PC last year.  I got an email on August 8th saying they had received my application and I didn’t hear anything by the end of September to contact them.

i phoned the number they gave me but couldn’t get through.  I’m still waiting to hear from.  It’s getting on for a year.