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Thousands of pensioners across the United Kingdom are receiving significant back payments of up to £12,000 after a Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) review uncovered widespread underpayments.
The issue affects various benefit recipients, including those on the state pension and Personal Independence Payment (PIP).
State Pension Underpayments
The DWP’s review of state pension payments revealed that nearly 120,000 women were underpaid. Those impacted include married women whose husbands retired before 2008, widows, and women over 80. These groups were entitled to pension increases that were never implemented.
Since the review began in 2021, the DWP has reimbursed a total of £736 million:
- £250.6 million to 45,907 married women
- £68.2 million to 33,437 women over 80
- £417.2 million to 39,706 widows
Some individuals have received payments close to £12,000, a life-changing sum for many retirees.
PIP Back Payments Following Supreme Court Ruling
Claimants of Personal Independence Payment (PIP) are also benefitting from the DWP’s reassessment of cases. This follows a 2019 Supreme Court ruling that expanded the definition of “social support” considered in PIP evaluations.
As of August 2024, 219,080 cases have been reviewed, resulting in £142 million being paid out. An estimated 326,000 additional cases remain under review, with some claimants expected to receive back payments of up to £12,000.
Home Responsibilities Protection (HRP) Errors
The DWP is also addressing errors related to Home Responsibilities Protection (HRP), a credit designed to safeguard the pensions of individuals who took time off work to care for children or disabled individuals between 1979 and 2010. Approximately 370,000 women across the UK were affected by these errors, which reduced their state pension entitlements.
So far, the DWP has issued over £42 million in arrears to correct these mistakes.
Call to Action for Affected Pensioners
The DWP is urging pensioners and benefit claimants to check if they are eligible for back payments. Individuals who believe they may have been underpaid can contact the DWP or visit the government’s official website for further guidance.
This series of underpayments highlights the need for robust systems to ensure benefit recipients receive their full entitlements. As the DWP works to rectify these errors, many pensioners and claimants are finally receiving the financial support they were owed.
For more information, visit the DWP’s official website or consult a financial advisor to understand your entitlements.
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