The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is sending a second state pension payment to some pensioners before July 1. State pensioners are typically paid every four weeks, but those who received their payment on Monday, June 1, or Tuesday, June 2, may be eligible for an additional payment on Monday, June 29, or Tuesday, June 30, due to the way the DWP schedules payments.
Who Qualifies for the Second Payment?
The second payment applies to basic state pension recipients whose National Insurance numbers end in 00 to 19 (paid on June 1) and 20 to 39 (paid on June 2). The basic state pension is worth £184.90 per week and is paid every four weeks directly into bank accounts, similar to benefit payments. The exact payment day corresponds to the last two digits of your National Insurance number.
How to Claim Your State Pension
You will not automatically receive your state pension. You should receive an invitation letter from the Pension Service four months before reaching state pension age, explaining how to claim. If you have not received a letter within two months of your pension age, call the Pension Service at 0800 731 7898.
Claims can be made online, by phone, or by post. You will need your National Insurance number and possibly evidence of your date of birth. To claim online, visit GOV.UK, which is available 24/7. Your invitation letter includes a code to simplify the online process. If you have difficulty using the service, call the helpdesk at 0800 169 0154.
To claim by phone, call the Pension Service claim line at 0800 731 7898, open Monday to Friday from 8am to 6pm (excluding public holidays). To claim by post, you must first phone the Pension Service to request a claim form, then complete and return it by mail. This method takes the longest.
Remember, claiming your state pension is not automatic, so ensure you apply in time to avoid missing payments.
