Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to increase the resources available to settle Pension Credit claims within the 50 working day timescale.

The most recent information on processing times for Pension Credit was published in the DWP Annual Report and Accounts on 22nd July 2024 (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/dwp-annual-report-and-accounts-2023-to-2024/dwp-annual-report-and-accounts-2023-to-2024-html). This shows that in 2023/24 DWP cleared 192,000 Pension Credit claims within the planned 50 working day timescale, equating to 77.7%, which meant 22.3% were not settled within the 10-week timescale.

We are deploying around 500 additional staff to manage the increase in volumes.

Please note, if a claim is made by 21 December, Pension Credit can be backdated for three months if the entitlement conditions have been met throughout that period, and if the claimant was eligible, they would also receive a Winter Fuel Payment.