Retired carer left stressed by credit delay
A RETIRED carer said he was left short on income during the cost-of-living crisis because he had still not received his Pension Credit five months after applying.
Terry White said he felt “stressed and anxious” by the delay and worried he would never pocket the money owed to him.
The 66-year-old from Tonyrefail explained: “I did my application on February 14 and my birthday was due on March 14.
“On April 21 I telephoned the pension credit department to tell them I should have heard something by now following my application.
“I got through to two different people and I explained the situation. I was told I would have a confirmation letter within 48 working hours.”
Mr White said the 48 hours went by, but he heard nothing from the UK Government Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).
After a few weeks went by without receiving his letter, Mr White decided to ring back on May 10.
This time, he said he also made a complaint.
“I got through to the same people,” he said. “I told them the story again and they said I should have had a call back following my April 21 call and that I would now have two call backs. I said this time I want to make a complaint.
“I was told I would get a letter within 15 working days to acknowledge the complaint. Neither the call backs nor calls ever materialised.”
On Friday, July 1, the DWP confirmed Mr White’s Pension Credit claim is now in payment and they apologised for the delay.
As defined by Gov.uk, pension credit gives extra money to help pensioners’ living costs if they are on a low income. The aid can also help with housing costs such as ground rent or service charges.
Mr White said he currently gets £161 a week on his current pension and that the pension credit should raise his funds to £182 a week. It means he has been left £21 short a week. That’s around £84 a month.
In late May, Mr White said he spoke to his local councillor Danny Grehan about his issue.
Mr White said Cllr Grehan contacted DWP on his behalf and was told staff were looking into it. However, Mr White received no follow-up.
“On June 28 I went to Age Concern who called DWP. They were told I would get a call back within five days,” Mr White said.
“I laughed at this and said I was not expecting this – and low and behold I was correct.”
Before the payment was made, he said: “All I’m asking for is the £20 I’m owed – that’s it. I’m not claiming money by saying I have a bad back when I don’t or anything like that. I’m just asking for what is due to me.
“This money is important. It goes towards food, bills and my general wellbeing.
“The anxiety and stress it has caused to just try and get what’s owed to me is something I just don’t understand.
“It’s lucky I have other things in my life to focus on because this could really get a person down. When you haven’t had it by now, you start to believe you’re never going to get it.”
A DWP spokesperson said: “Mr White’s Pension Credit claim is now in payment and we apologise for the delay. We have contacted him directly to let him know.
“We’re sorry that Mr White had to contact us on several occasions and that we didn’t call him back as requested.”