Invitation Code for new State Pension Claim

Triumph13

It might be worth trying using a different device / browser.

MarzipanCrumble

It also might be worth clearing your cookies - cookies kept by the system have messed up getting into NS&I and my bank in the near past.

jem16

Swanseajack said:

Thanks, it sure is frustrating trying to get through to them. It's extra difficult if you have to be at work early. I think my partner will have to wait for a couple more weeks when she has another day off, and try calling them first thing in the morning. Thanks for the tip, worth a try. 

It’s a dedicated claim line so usually not much of a wait and it’s pretty quick. Perhaps she can manage it on a lunch break?

Swanseajack

CAB told me there have been problems on the claim line since the latest round of pension announcements, and they don't have the staff to cope with the increased demand. The last attempted call hadn't been answered after 1.5 hours which is clearly ridiculous. We tried applying on her iPhone via Safari and also via a couple of other browsers, sadly all to no avail, the same error message keeps appearing. Think we'll just have to wait and try an early call on her next day off. Cookies all cleared, so thanks for the tip. Thanks everyone for your collective help and advice, much appreciated. 

pinkdon

I used the online service yesterday to apply for new invitation codes, one was showing as invalid (didn’t realise they had a time limit to be activated).  Phoned and the call was answered approx 20 mins later, very helpful guy who advised to apply online for a new code. Also applied for an another code about 30 mins later online again and had no issues (married couple I was helping, one invalid code and the other no code).  

I would recommend trying to phone again, to be honest the phone call was super helpful in this case but I appreciate the struggle to actually get through then there is the helpfulness of the call handler.  

If it helps any the call was made around 11.30am.  From my understanding they can’t offer much support without the code but I wonder how people without internet access or those with technical issues get around this?  Maybe worth explaining if you can get through to them.

Swanseajack

That's very interesting to hear, thank you very much for the info and taking the time to comment. 

coyrls

I rang to claim my deferred state pension this afternoon at about 2pm, I had to wait about 20 minutes before the phone was answered, so nothing like 2 hours.  The claim itself was quick and easy.