The news about the DWP £1200 back payment has shocked many people in the UK. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) recently admitted that more than 130,000 pensioners were not paid their full state pension. This is not just a small mistake. It’s a serious issue that has been going on for many years.
Many pensioners will now receive thousands of pounds in back payments. This money is what they were owed and should have received long ago.
What is the DWP £1200 Back Payment?
The DWP £1200 back payment is part of a larger government plan to fix past pension payment mistakes. The main groups affected are:
- Married women
- Widowed women
- People over 80
These groups missed out on automatic pension increases or spousal pension benefits. Some have been waiting for years—some even decades. The amounts vary, but many people will get between £2,000 and £11,700. If you are in one of these groups, you may be owed money too.
Who Gets the Payment and Why?
Here is a breakdown of who is affected and how much they might get:
| Category | Problem | Average Payment |
| Married Women | Missed spousal pension increase after partner retired | Up to £12,000 |
| Widows | Pension not increased after partner passed away | £8,000 – £11,700 |
| Over-80s | Did not get automatic increase after turning 80 | £2,000+ |
| HRP Error Cases | Problems in Home Responsibilities Protection (HRP) records | £1,500 – £3,000 |
| Total Affected | From 2021 to 2025: 130,948 people | £804.7 million total |
Many of these people received less money every month for years. In some sad cases, people died before they even knew they were underpaid.
Why Did This Happen?
This problem has been going on for a long time. The DWP started reviewing state pensions in January 2021. By March 2025, they found over 130,000 mistakes. The issues were caused by old computer systems, missing data, and poor processing.
This situation is not just about money. It’s about fairness and justice for those who were ignored.
Who Was Affected Most?
Not everyone was affected, but these three groups were hit the hardest:
- Married women who did not get the right increase after their husbands retired
- Widows whose pensions were not updated after their husbands died
- Over-80s who did not receive the extra pension payment after turning 80
Some people may even belong to more than one group. That means they might get a higher back payment.
Extra Issue: HRP Errors
There is also a separate issue with something called Home Responsibilities Protection (HRP). HRP was meant to help people, mostly women, who took time off work to care for children or family. It was supposed to protect their pension.
But due to a mistake in recording, over 5,000 people missed out on this. This error alone cost £42 million. Many people didn’t even know about HRP or how it worked. That’s why experts say everyone should check their National Insurance and pension records.
Experts Speak Out
Many experts and former government officials have spoken about this issue. Former pensions minister Sir Steve Webb helped bring the issue to light. He has pushed the DWP to fix the mistake quickly.
Financial expert Rachel Toohey called this the worst benefit mistake in years. She said many older women lived with very little money and didn’t get what they deserved.
What is the DWP Doing Now?
The DWP has admitted their mistake and says they are working hard to fix it. They are reviewing more cases and contacting people who are owed money.
But they also say that if you think you were underpaid, don’t wait. You should contact the Pension Service as soon as possible. This could mean thousands of pounds in back payments—and a higher monthly pension in the future.
What Should You Do Now?
Here are some steps you can take if you think you missed out:
- Check if you are in a high-risk group (married woman, widow, over 80)
- Review your National Insurance and pension records
- Contact the Pension Service for a pension review
- Don’t assume things will fix themselves—mistakes can go unnoticed for years
- Act quickly, because delays could make things harder
FAQs
What is the DWP £1200 back payment?
It’s a refund for pensioners who were underpaid.
Who can get this payment?
Married women, widows, and people over 80.
How do I check if I’m owed money?
Look at your pension and NI records.
What is HRP?
It protects pensions for carers.
What should I do now?
Call the Pension Service for a review.
