MSE News: Universal credit helpline charges to be scrapped

Former_MSE_Callum
Former_MSE_Callum Posts: 696 Forumite
First Post First Anniversary I've been Money Tipped! Newshound!
edited 18 October 2017 at 3:40PM in Benefits & tax credits
Controversial charges of up to 55p a minute for calls to the universal credit helpline are to be abolished, the Government has announced...
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'Universal credit helpline charges to be scrapped'
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  • kpwll
    kpwll Posts: 4,273 Forumite
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    That's welcome news for anyone who has to call them, it was daft to have them in the 1st place.
  • TELLIT01
    TELLIT01 Posts: 16,472 Forumite
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    Charging at that level is totally unacceptable. Even being charged at standard call rates would eat up a large proportion of the benefit being queried. It used to be possible to use the phones in JC's to make this sort of call but I think that was stopped.
  • maxmycardagain
    maxmycardagain Posts: 5,747 Forumite
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    UC has no redeeming features that I can see, the errors, sanctions, lost benefits and attitude of many staff are causing undue hardship to many
    Now we all know how it felt to play in the band on the Titanic...
  • annandale
    annandale Posts: 1,469 Forumite
    In some cases the charges would be scrapped was what I read. That's not the same thing as scrapping the charges altogether
  • pmduk
    pmduk Posts: 10,655 Forumite
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    edited 18 October 2017 at 1:12PM
    The press release seems pretty clear that all the lines will become freephones. However, don't hold your breath til it happens. It pays to be cynical with politicians of all ilks.

    One good thing is that the cost of paying for a free call may concentrate the DWP's mind to reduce the wait to get a call answered, I know of people that have waited up to an hour to get a reply.
  • Former_MSE_Andrea
    Former_MSE_Andrea Posts: 9,614 Forumite
    Combo Breaker First Post I've helped Parliament Rampant Recycler
    What's the longest anyone's had to wait on the line? Has anyone had to wait more than an hour?
    Could you do with a Money Makeover?


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  • Ames
    Ames Posts: 18,459 Forumite
    annandale wrote: »
    In some cases the charges would be scrapped was what I read. That's not the same thing as scrapping the charges altogether

    David Gauke said in his session at the Commons Select Committee that it's changing to a freephone number.
    Unless I say otherwise 'you' means the general you not you specifically.
  • JezR
    JezR Posts: 1,697 Forumite
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    TELLIT01 wrote: »
    Charging at that level is totally unacceptable. Even being charged at standard call rates ...

    It is presently at standard call rates as it is an 03 number.
  • IAmWales
    IAmWales Posts: 2,024 Forumite
    JezR wrote: »
    It is presently at standard call rates as it is an 03 number.

    Which for someone that cannot afford a call package is very expensive.
  • footyguy
    footyguy Posts: 4,157 Forumite
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    MSE_Callum wrote: »
    Controversial charges of up to 55p a minute for calls to the universal credit helpline are to be abolished, ...

    Up to 55p a minute? :huh:
    I understood it's currently a 0345 number.

    You can make a 30 min call for just 60p from a BT payphone to such a number, and if you need even longer, it will cost an extra 10p for each additional 15 mins or part thereof.

    Or are people using their iPhone to call the benefit helpline? :cool:
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