For the latest news on this, have a look at the excellent Rightsnet website
http://www.rightsnet.org.uk/cgi-bin/publisher/display.cgi?1452-8103-23610+news should take you to the latest news story.
The DWP has issued new guidance to local authority benefit departments in relation to the introduction of Pension Credit from October 2003
The new guidance – HB/CTB Circular A25/2003 – advises that –
if potential Pension Credit claimants call at local authority offices they should be referred to the Pension Credit Adviceline, and that only in exceptional circumstances should a Pension Credit application pack be issued.
The guidance suggests that this process should provide a “better overall customer experience” and that high volumes of clerical application forms will slow The Pension Service’s processing times;
whilst all local authorities were issued with copies of the Service Level Agreement (SLA) between The Pension Service and local authorities in June 2003, and that Pension Credit requires a greater reliance on joint working between the DWP and local authorities, at the end of August 223 SLAs had still not been signed.
