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Pension fun'n'games
Tuesday, February 8th, 2005 01:28 pmHaving recently received the annual enquiry from Plymouth Social Services as to whether my father has suddenly become a millionaire and can thus be billed for all his nursing-home accommodation costs, I have spent a cheery morning on the telephone.
The problem is that state benefit increases are done once a year (in March, judging by the last three years' paperwork) and Social Services want this information in February, instead of waiting until I actually have the new rates.
I rang Social Services and explained this. Oh yes, they said, you'll have to talk to the Pensions people. (Why they can't do this is one of the great mysteries. They did give me the number though.
I rang the Pensions Helpline and (after interminable, intolerable hold music) was connected to a real live person. She listened to my requirements, put me on hold again, and then came back to enquire why -- since my father lives in Plymouth -- I was talking to the Newcastle helpdesk. Much (ok, a little) shared amusement at the queuing system. "I'll give you the number for the Plymouth department," she said. "Gosh," I said, "it's just the same as the Newcastle one."
Have finally determined that my father will be richer by three pence per week (in terms of Pension Credit) and possibly as much as £1.20 per week on the actual pension.
This 'cost' me nearly an hour.
The problem is that state benefit increases are done once a year (in March, judging by the last three years' paperwork) and Social Services want this information in February, instead of waiting until I actually have the new rates.
I rang Social Services and explained this. Oh yes, they said, you'll have to talk to the Pensions people. (Why they can't do this is one of the great mysteries. They did give me the number though.
I rang the Pensions Helpline and (after interminable, intolerable hold music) was connected to a real live person. She listened to my requirements, put me on hold again, and then came back to enquire why -- since my father lives in Plymouth -- I was talking to the Newcastle helpdesk. Much (ok, a little) shared amusement at the queuing system. "I'll give you the number for the Plymouth department," she said. "Gosh," I said, "it's just the same as the Newcastle one."
Have finally determined that my father will be richer by three pence per week (in terms of Pension Credit) and possibly as much as £1.20 per week on the actual pension.
This 'cost' me nearly an hour.
