Investigating Pension Credit delays

Greater Manchester Law Centre (GMLC) and NAWRA are investigating delays to Pension Credit applications. Thanks to everyone who responded to the survey we sent out last month asking for information on your recent experiences with the Pension Credit service.

The findings of the survey along with recommendations are available in the full report and this summary.

The survey results show that Pension Credit claimants are often waiting months for claims to be paid which is causing financial hardship. The delays are widespread and are having a knock on effect on other entitlements.

The report makes five recommendations to resolve the problems.

Update 23 Jan 2023: the report was cited in a debate about Pension Credit in the Commons. NAWRA has written to Laura Trott MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the DWP, to follow up on her promise that processing times would return to normal in February.

Update 8 Mar 2023: Thangam Debbonaire MP tabled a written question on current average Pension Credit processing times to which Laura Trott MP has declined to find an answer.

Update 28 Mar 2023: Between 2 March 2023 and 15 March 2023, GMLC and NAWRA ran a follow–up survey with advisers to put Laura Trott’s claims to the test and ask whether they had seen an improvement in Pension Credit processing times.  The results of the survey and Laura Trott’s response are in our updated report.

Independent Age is asking supporters to sign an open letter to Mel Stride.

Update 10 May 2023: Members are reporting much improved processing times.  Thanks very much to Dan Manville at Manchester Law Centre for taking this up.