If You Have Registered For A Call Back Look Here

Silvertabby

OldToolbelt said:

Am already receiving state pension but was made aware that I could top-up empty years which previously were not open to me. The online top-up was available to me and the phone number merry go 'round got me nowhere so registered for a call back. The 8 week deadline was yesterday (Wed April 30) and received a text on 28th April saying I would be called the next day.  The call came the next day April 29th. The female handler asked for NI and Name and Address and then promptly told me that I would receive another call back. When I politely asked why she could not help she simply could not explain and she did not speak fluently or confidently about what would happen next.  She also could not say when I would get the next call.  So, today 1 May I received a tel' call from DWP with no human answer but which only delivered a text type message which in broken english said that they had tried twice to call me and that they would not bother again but to call the DWP number ending 175 - the same number which I got nowhere with before but I tried again and got nowhere again.  Frustrated (again) I eventually managed to speak to someone in State Pension Changes who was as exasperated as I was. In short, the left and right hand situation still exists and there is no process for those in receipt of state pension to make further top-ups except online.  She explained that the online form for call backs was never intended for those already drawing their pension and so the call back handlers can never help.  She made a note of my enquiry/request for help on my file but currently there is a dead-end for those like me who have no online top-up option and have passed the deadline but raisded a request for call back.. ....simply no way out of this  !!!

Are you absolutely sure that paying these 'empty years' will actually add to your State pension?  

How many years of NI contributions did you have up to 2016?
Did you work right up to your State pension age, or did you retire before then?
When did you reach SPA?
Do you have any contracted out service?  

OldToolbelt

Yes I am sure thank you. The Pension calculator gave me the figures which made topping-up a good investment.

OldToolbelt

You're mistaken. 

janette34

Hi, 

I'm just after some advice. I phoned the pension helpline on the 28th March regarding my NI (I was sure it was wrong and hadn't been paid by my ex employer). While on the call the lady told me that it would take a few weeks to arrive as they had to get it from HMRC and not to worry about the deadline I would have longer. The letter arrived on the 28th April (I swear my mailman keeps my mail for weeks). Anyway, I read the letter and it stated I only had until the 30th April to fill the gaps, I had no chance of sorting this in the time left due to work commitments and time kept on these calls. So, I called them on the 2nd May and quired this and was told I should have called DWP, then I could still pay but as it was after the 30/04 I was over the deadline, not once in the call on the 27th March was I told to call DWP or I would have sorted it straight away (I was on holiday so had the time). Has anyone had similar experience? Would the lady who told me that I would have longer to pay have sorted it with DWP? Because the guy I spoke to last week was not helpful and just said it was tough basically. 

RobKett

God this is insanely Kafkaesque. Got the text yesterday saying the DWP would call today & with the 'if you don't answer' implied threat. Like others I had my scammer antennae on but what alternative do we have but to answer and do what they say?

In any event this is a problem for me as I'm moving about a lot and my phone doesn't ring it only vibrates, my MO is to call people back asap if I miss a call. I spent the whole morning holding the bloody thing, it's just rung - 2 vibrates! - and then it cut out before I could answer! I mean it was right next to me on a tin can so I'd definitely hear it and I reached down picked it up and answered and I was too late.

I tried ringing back and gave up after sitting in a no-information holding 'thank you for calling' queue for 25 minutes. This is crazy. Why not just email?

Does anyone else have any experience of getting in touch with them any more sensible way?

molerat

The only way is to try ringing at 8am, as soon as they are open.

MockTudor

I registered for a callback, had a text from DWP on 21st May saying I need to ring them, with a deadline of 20th June and saying they would NOT contact me again. So I have to do this to buy back my voluntary years. Every time I ring the call is dropped after the recorded message, sometimes with no options given and sometimes not. I have called over 30 times. at 8am and whenever I can. I assume I just keep trying till I miss the deadline! That can't be right.

paradroid87

Morning all, I have had a similar experience to most people in this thread re. payable NI gaps.
05/03 - Submitted callback form - it clearly states they will call back within 8 weeks
01/05 - Received SMS re. scheduled call the next day
02/05 - Received call, I confirmed NI and DOB - Once done, they said that an expert would call me back to discuss further - No timescales could be given. I believe the call was genuine and not a scam. I think this call was just to ensure they met the stated deadline.

I still haven't received a callback from an expert and thus no further forward with regards paying NI gaps. It would be good to know if anybody has received the second call and has successfully paid.

QrizB

paradroid87 said:

 It would be good to know if anybody has received the second call and has successfully paid.

There are people who have received the second call, and have paid.

There are also people like you who are still waiting on the second call.

If you browse this forum you'll find people with both types of experience.

MarkFromCornwall

paradroid87 said:

It would be good to know if anybody has received the second call and has successfully paid.

I missed both their calls (on a Sunday) but I called them the next day about 9:30am and got through with just a ten minute wait, took their advice about which years I should pay for, received a payment reference number and sent off my payment the next day.