Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether a widow is entitled to claim back underpaid state pension for periods before she was widowed.

In circumstances where it is identified that individuals are entitled to arrears of underpaid State Pension, these are paid in accordance with relevant legislation (section 1 of the Social Security Administration Act 1992) if a claim to Category BL is required, and if a claim is not required Social Security ((Claims and Payments) Regs 1987, reg 3(cb)).

Any person seeking to claim can get assistance if they call The Pension Service on its Freephone number 0800 731 0469.