Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, in cases when someone in receipt of a state pension passes away, (a) whether their family is automatically notified on any pensions payments owing, (b) how long such payments take to process and (c) how many people are currently waiting for such a payment to be made.

When someone in receipt of a state pension passes away:

(a) The death arrears payee would be notified of any arrears by letter. The death arrears payee is normally a family member but can also be another body such as a solicitor.

(b) Payments owing are normally made within 15 days following confirmation of the correct payee.

(c) There are 4,092 customers who have confirmed the correct payee currently waiting for such a payment to be made.