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Claiming a deferred state pension - 7 months on from initial claim

Evening,
My father deferred his state pension (pre 2016 rules) but decided to claim the deferred amount this year. He started the process in April but has had little success. He's been on hold at different points for hours with promises of call backs, action etc but here we are in November and he's still waiting. 

Obviously he's been getting increasingly stressed and anxious about this so myself and my brother are trying to help.

I found that there's a formal complaint process but what he's missing is a department to write to and any form of reference number. 

Does anyone know a useful address that this complaint can be directed to in the first instance rather than the more general address?

We'd like to at least get the complaint ackowledged so there's a reference point to track.

Any other tips around this greatly appreciated...

Thanks in advance

Comments

  • woolly_wombat
    woolly_wombat Posts: 841 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 500 Posts Name Dropper
    I suggest he contacts his MP and asks them for assistance to speed up his claim.

    It Is simply not acceptable for him to have started the process in April, to have been on hold for hours at a time and to still be waiting for call backs. 

    No wonder he is becoming stressed and anxious.

    Good luck.
  • Dazed_and_C0nfused
    Dazed_and_C0nfused Posts: 18,264 Forumite
    10,000 Posts Fifth Anniversary Name Dropper
    Evening,
    My father deferred his state pension (pre 2016 rules) but decided to claim the deferred amount this year. He started the process in April but has had little success. He's been on hold at different points for hours with promises of call backs, action etc but here we are in November and he's still waiting. 

    Obviously he's been getting increasingly stressed and anxious about this so myself and my brother are trying to help.

    I found that there's a formal complaint process but what he's missing is a department to write to and any form of reference number. 

    Does anyone know a useful address that this complaint can be directed to in the first instance rather than the more general address?

    We'd like to at least get the complaint ackowledged so there's a reference point to track.

    Any other tips around this greatly appreciated...

    Thanks in advance
    Is he opting for the extra pension or a lump sum?
  • Evening,
    My father deferred his state pension (pre 2016 rules) but decided to claim the deferred amount this year. He started the process in April but has had little success. He's been on hold at different points for hours with promises of call backs, action etc but here we are in November and he's still waiting. 

    Obviously he's been getting increasingly stressed and anxious about this so myself and my brother are trying to help.

    I found that there's a formal complaint process but what he's missing is a department to write to and any form of reference number. 

    Does anyone know a useful address that this complaint can be directed to in the first instance rather than the more general address?

    We'd like to at least get the complaint ackowledged so there's a reference point to track.

    Any other tips around this greatly appreciated...

    Thanks in advance
    Is he opting for the extra pension or a lump sum?
    It's the lump sum
  • I suggest he contacts his MP and asks them for assistance to speed up his claim.

    It Is simply not acceptable for him to have started the process in April, to have been on hold for hours at a time and to still be waiting for call backs. 

    No wonder he is becoming stressed and anxious.

    Good luck.
    Cheers. Yes, that's a good call if we get nowhere with the complaints process. 
  • Marcon
    Marcon Posts: 15,187 Forumite
    Ninth Anniversary 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    Evening,
    My father deferred his state pension (pre 2016 rules) but decided to claim the deferred amount this year. He started the process in April but has had little success. He's been on hold at different points for hours with promises of call backs, action etc but here we are in November and he's still waiting. 

    Obviously he's been getting increasingly stressed and anxious about this so myself and my brother are trying to help.

    I found that there's a formal complaint process but what he's missing is a department to write to and any form of reference number. 

    Does anyone know a useful address that this complaint can be directed to in the first instance rather than the more general address?

    We'd like to at least get the complaint ackowledged so there's a reference point to track.

    Any other tips around this greatly appreciated...

    Thanks in advance
    See https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-for-work-pensions/about/complaints-procedure

    That gives you a summary of the information you need to include, and details of where to send his complaint.
    Googling on your question might have been both quicker and easier, if you're only after simple facts rather than opinions!  
  • xylophone
    xylophone Posts: 45,782 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6543909/9-years-deferred-pension/p1

    Have a look at the thread above. How far on is your father in the process?
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