I finally got through to someone at the DWP, and only had to listen to Mozart for 10 minutes this time !
Actually got to speak to someone who was very helpful, and confirmed I should have been notified, and paid my Sate pension by now, and promised to check and call me back, which was done within 5 or 6 minutes.
It seems another section of the DWP hadn't done their bit, so an emergency payment, back-dated to 1st March, will be paid into my bank tomorrow, and the person I spoke to will 'phone me to confirm this tomorrow morning, and confirm the amount.
Cheered me a lot !